I used to be planning on making this put up a overview of Monday’s end-of-the-season press convention that includes the Crimson Sox brass. I even advised the OTM slack that I used to be going to take action as soon as I used to be carried out with my real-life job (please don’t name me a liar, guys).
But whereas listening to the 40-minute session that includes Crimson Sox President Sam Kennedy, Supervisor Alex Cora, and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow once more, I shortly realized that there wasn’t a lot to study.
On the very least, a lot of it was stuffed with quips that you could possibly’ve considered and put onto a bingo card earlier than hand—trust me, I’ve done so with Smithers on the mic earlier than. It was stuffed with the usual, predictable speaking factors after a postseason exit. Cora stated the journey was enjoyable whereas realizing that Boston’s final aim wasn’t reached. Breslow pointed to the highs and the lows of the 2025 marketing campaign whereas mentioning that Carlos Narvaez is because of bear a surgical procedure to “clear up” his meniscus (although he didn’t appear that involved about it). Kennedy stated that we’re one of the best followers in baseball and that we took a step in the best path (he solely stated that latter phrase a few dozen occasions, although I’m one to speak—I exploit the identical cliches in these blogs on a regular basis). Kennedy additionally talked about the true property plans round Lansdowne Avenue, the event that can actually be propped up Over The Monster in due time. There have been some talks about rates of interest or some shite in there; go learn SB Nation’s actual property web page for those who’re fascinated about that, I’m positive they’ll have you ever coated.
However one factor did leap out to me on Monday: mockingly sufficient, it was the truth that Craig Breslow didn’t say a lot in any respect in time period of the state of the roster or the way forward for guys who might or might not be part of the Crimson Sox’s masterplan in 2026 and past.
He gave a sweeping assertion that the window to compete is open and that they’ll be retaining their choices open to enhance the workforce (yeah, dude, I’d hope so). Whereas recognizing Triston Casas’ potential and the restoration he’s made thus removed from a devastating knee harm earlier within the yr, he was noncommittal on quantity 36’s future as Boston’s first baseman. He praised the contributions of fellows like Masataka Yoshida and Jarren Duran, together with the pair of potential opt-outs in Alex Bregman and Trevor Story. He didn’t supply a lot on the beginning pitching entrance apart from stating that getting more good pitchers is good, actually. Perhaps the quote of essentially the most precise substance was saying that there has to be better production at first and second base shifting ahead, however that’s nonetheless a fairly obscure level.
Briefly: Breslow is retaining his playing cards near his chest—and that’s completely high quality at this stage.
After all, there’s no profit in offering any definitive solutions slightly below 100 hours after you have been eradicated from playoff competition. Why lay these playing cards out on the desk now? Why waste any leverage you will have? After all we have been going to get common statements this week; that’s completely OK with me. It was stated in the course of the press convention and it’s value repeating right here: it’s an emotional time in Crimson Sox Nation—getting knocked out of the postseason by your historic and hated rivals will try this—however now could be the time to take inventory, to not take loopy motion (effectively, not that they actually may proper now even when they needed to, however you catch my drift).
I do know we’ve been burned by grand statements from the blokes steering the ship previously (F_LL THR_TTL_, would you want to purchase a vowel?), however I belief Breslow sufficient to take account within the offseason and switch that into decisive actions that enhance the state of the group whereas the competition window is open. Whether or not I’ve that very same belief in the midst of the season is a distinct story, however we simply noticed some huge swings almost 12 months in the past; I feel persistence will find yourself being a advantage for us this winter.
Right here’s one Breslow quote that did catch my consideration. I feel it encapsulates his general factors all through the press convention.
“The whole lot must be on the desk as we take into consideration bettering the workforce in 2026.”
Once more, I’m completely high quality with that sentiment proper now. Hold the choices open. There’s no use in getting freaked out a few “lack of a plan;” hell, I’d say that we ought to be a LONG methods away from with the ability to freak out about that. Your mileage might differ, however I hope to enter these subsequent few months with extra of that zen that I used to be simply speaking about. Persistence, younger padawans.
Of us on Reddit recommended that Breslow quote about the whole lot being on the desk suggests that no one on the roster has a spot promised for them in 2026, even when you think about elements of the group that we’d take into account deep heading into the offseason. To that I say: good! We ought to be striving to lift the usual of this workforce. If meaning making some troublesome selections, so be it. The Crimson Sox have a stable basis as issues stand—now’s the time to lift the ceiling.
Properly, possibly not *NOW* now, however this winter would be the time to do exactly that. For now, it’s time to maintain the playing cards near the chest and to re-calibrate ourselves.
