Trade deadline decision time for the Red Sox: Eugenio Suarez? Joe Ryan?

Nicely, would you have a look at that: even after one hell of a stretch in opposition to a trio of the Nationwide League’s greatest competitors, the Boston Red Sox haven’t ceased operations.

A still-functioning group? Certain. A leaps-and-bounds success because the begin of the second half of the season? Not fairly. The Sox’s 9 video games in opposition to the Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers following the All-Star Sport have resulted in a 4-5 document document. Any crew with aspirations of going all the best way in October must be aiming effectively north of .500 throughout any stretch like this—even in opposition to some top-tier groups—and Boston fell wanting that. That’s disappointing.

Regardless of that, although, I can’t get myself too labored up: there have been flashes of brilliance spliced in between a number of the robust losses. That win in Philly was among the best wins of the season, as was the win at Fenway on Saturday. Name me naive, however perhaps there are some classes to be discovered after dropping some units in opposition to legit contenders whereas this comparatively younger core tries to throw their hat into that dialog themselves. It is a good (if not nice) crew, and the trail to the postseason remains to be extensive open. The chance is there for the taking, even after these hiccups.

This final result’s a little bit of a microcosm for what lies forward for the Crimson Sox, no?

We sit right here, simply previous to Thursday’s commerce deadline, proper on the precipice (I can’t consider I spelled that phrase proper on the primary attempt!) of the wild card minimize because the Rangers are surging whereas the Yankees and Rays are slumping. We must be aiming increased than simply the third and ultimate wild card spot, in fact, however the probability at autumn glory is throughout the realm of chance.

Your perception in how doubtless that’s might differ relying in your ideas on the roster now and the way it will look by the point I write this text subsequent week. Whether or not or not they get that invitation to the dance hinges on whether or not or not they’ll climate the subsequent wave of robust competitors (the Astros twice over after the upcoming journey to Minnesota, together with a date with the San Diego Dads) and make the most of a softer run within the latter half of August (Orioles instances two together with the [Scott Stapp of Creed voice] MARLINSSSSSSSSS).

So, it’s straightforward to have a look at issues with each a glass half empty and half full mentality. Boston’s document in opposition to actually good groups because the break is sub-.500, however the path to enhancing the crew appears fairly evident (extra on that later). Floor that may probably be misplaced after further robust matchups might simply be made proper again up in opposition to a few of MLB’s backside feeders.

All that’s to say that it’s choice time: how will the powers that be determine to maneuver ahead into the remainder of 2025 and the longer term, how will they complement the present iteration of the crew, and the way will we be trying on the glass as soon as Thursday comes and goes?

It’s Monday Morning Brushback time, y’all.

Boss Hog

I don’t know the way a lot evaluation of substance that you must know that Garrett Crochet is likely one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, however I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a while each once in a while to put in writing that out correctly. Truly: when you’ll indulge me, permit me to take action once more:

Garrett Crochet is likely one of the greatest pitchers in baseball…man does it really feel good to have the ability to confidently say that.

What’s there to complain about? Significantly? This man’s been all the pieces we needed after we traded for him in December after which some. The strikeout stuff is absurd (11.1 Ok/9 and a 31% Ok-rate; lmao, as the children say), his high quality of contact metrics aren’t a priority, he exhibits nice command for an influence pitcher whereas limiting walks (his 6.7 BB% is nice for the 76th percentile as of the time of me scripting this on Sunday), and he’s been doing it with elite quantity (his 141.1 innings pitched is essentially the most within the league). All of his major choices—the heater, the cutter, the sinker, and the sweeper—are spectacular.

I do suppose that the numbers—that are implausible, in fact—don’t let you know the total story, although. Truly having the ability to sit down and watch this dude dominate is kind of the expertise, ain’t it?

Saturday’s second within the 4th inning is the prime instance of that: runners on the corners with in a one-run sport as maybe the best participant we’ve ever seen steps as much as the plate. How does Crochet reply? Why, by putting Shohei Ohtani out on three pitchers, in fact.

Being able to log 11 punch outs in opposition to the defending World Series champions on a nationally televised sport is likely one of the the explanation why you pony as much as get an ace; a proof of idea, if you’ll. To have that juice in Boston as soon as once more, that’s a sight for sore eyes. We’re privileged that we get to observe Garrett Crochet—for a 3rd time, among the best pitchers in baseball—for years to come back.

Ceddy to Second?

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Photos

Now this case…I don’t have as many glowing phrases about. Why are we taking part in Ceddanne Rafaela at second base extra typically, versus maintaining him in heart subject?

Nicely, I suppose I do know the reply to that: the outfield logjam—the regulation agency of Rafaela-Duran-Abreu-Yoshida-Anthony-Refsnyder—continues to loom over the Sox’s roster building, whereas Marcelo Mayer’s thriller wrist harm sustained a couple of days in the past has compelled one other concern. Given Rafaela’s utility utilization up to now, shifting him to the infield is actually one of many options to the pickle at present at hand.

However once more: ………………………….why isn’t he in heart full-time?

I don’t essentially envy Craig Breslow within the days main as much as the commerce deadline. He’s obtained a significant choice looming, whether or not or not an outfield chip is traded this upcoming week. Deciding in opposition to flipping somebody like Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu is a choice in and of itself, in fact.

Whatever the circumstances, no matter who stays or goes or are available, I simply don’t suppose that the Crimson Sox’s greatest roster options Ceddy at second versus heart subject.

For what it’s value: protection at second base is kind of necessary. FanGraphs’ worth adjusted positional record—the Gospel based on Metrics in terms of positional worth on protection—values second and center the same over the course of 162 tilts. That is sensible on the floor, because the spine of fine defensive groups is constructed up the center.

In that vacuum, maybe shifting Rafaela to second from time to time makes some sense. This stuff don’t exist in a pure vacuum, although. Not like Matty Healy of The 1975, I’m not taking out context on this fashionable debate like a grey hair in one among my zoots (maaaaaaaaybe two of you bought that reference proper off the rip).

Let’s not child ourselves: as gifted as Ceddy is with the leather-based, he’s not practically pretty much as good within the infield as he’s within the outfield. He’s set a excessive customary for himself whereas patrolling heart, positive, however that’s as a result of he’s arguably the very best defensive outfielder within the sport. His elite vary (99th percentile entering play on Sunday) and arm power (96th percentile at that same time). I’m particularly confused regarding the arm power angle; how a lot good is that arm doing in second as opposed the outfield?

I don’t have all of the solutions for you, expensive reader. I don’t know precisely how the entrance workplace can be approaching this case going ahead. What I do really feel in my coronary heart of hearts is that the right street ahead is…….effectively, not this. I feel that the very best iteration of those Crimson Sox characteristic Ceddanne in heart. Maybe this choice is an endorsement for Duran’s services patrolling heart (which, to be honest, was fairly good in 2024; he’s been, uh, not fairly good in left in 2025 if we’re maintaining it a buck, although). Regardless, I nonetheless suppose it’s a good suggestion to have an all-world heart fielder taking part in in heart subject.

Let’s Make a Deal

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports activities

I’ve talked about it a couple of instances all through this version of the MMBB, however let’s begin a dialog concerning the commerce deadline in earnest. I invite you to place your whole ideas, predictions, evaluation, and desires within the feedback beneath for posterity: in order that we are able to all look again and marvel at your genius, since YOU—sure, YOU studying this—will get your whole calls right.

Permit me to start out the proceedings. If I needed to title three issues that this crew wants heading into deadline day, so as, I’d say the Crimson Sox want:

1. One other higher-end starter; somebody you possibly can slot in alongside Crochet and Bello to make a formidable 1-2-3. Choice goes to a cost-controlled man, but when the standard of the pitcher is nice sufficient I’m tremendous with the crew taking over somebody on a contract 12 months and seeing if they’ll work out a deal within the coming days/weeks/months.

2. A primary base choice, ideally somebody who can hit from the precise aspect. God bless Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez, who’ve been valiant of their roles over at first following the Triston Casas harm, however we have to elevate the ceiling of this offensive assault and get a correct first baseman into the lineup for our profit on either side of the ball.

3. A backup catcher. God bless Connor Wong, however one thing’s gotta give on that entrance. Doesn’t need to be something loopy; simply somebody who has greater than a 13 OPS+ and who can provide us regular defensive backing whereas Carlos Narvaez will get an evening off from time to time.

You might contend that one other starter or yet another dependable bullpen piece could be in your high three; I wouldn’t argue with you, however that is simply my high three desires as Thursday looms.

I don’t need to sit right here all day and dissect each single one who would (or wouldn’t) match the invoice for these asks; we’re already at damn-near 1,800 phrases in any case. So in a short time, right here’s just a few names I like for all three of these factors.

1. Mitch Keller (team-controlled, might swindle ol’ pal Ben Cherington), Merrill Kelly (contract 12 months, may very well be had with out having to sacrifice a considerable quantity of prospect capital contemplating the return the D-Backs obtained for Josh Naylor), Joe Ryan and Michael King (duh), and Edward Cabrera (arb-controlled via 2028, doesn’t stroll a ton of fellows, has some strong strikeout upside and might provoke his fair proportion of grounders—I’m not in on one other reclamation undertaking together with his teammate Sandy Alcantara, although).
2. Eugenio Suarez (I can dream of him coming to Boston and shifting over the primary, proper?! It’s unrealistic, however who is aware of), Ryan O’Hearn (may very well be robust to get a commerce carried out with a division rival in Bal’mer, however I feel he’d slot in completely and may very well be had comparatively cheaply [is that a word?] contemplating he’s set to hit free company), Jake Burger (IF, key phrase IF, we are able to get a cope with the Rangers carried out on a budget; his horrid start is behind him, as his rolling xwOBA has been above average as of late, so perhaps he might act as a excessive upside addition if all else fails. Simply attempting to suppose outdoors the field, people).
3. Anyone. Actually anyone. Anybody who can catch effectively and provide a lil’ jolt of pleasure on offense right here and there.

Anywho, I’m excited to see none of those gamers come to Boston this week!

Track of the Week: “Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush

My MIL’s birthday was on Sunday, so I gave her the selection for the SOTW. This was the selection; shout out to Kate Bush and shout out to my MIL.

Similar time and similar place subsequent week, buddies! Go Sox.