Jake

I'd prefer Baldwin to start at SS, fwiw. Also, who came in to relieve Thaiss at catcher in this game? Because the wheels are falling off back there.

Of the 4 members of the rotation, it's hard to for me to understand how it wasn't more deserved by any of the other 3. But I guess it doesn't matter

Lenyn had some pretty rotten batted ball luck last year and has been looking hitterish for a while now. I thought his play last season earned him a spot on the '25 squad but it seems like he's making his case in the spring too. Not sure where he'll play but we have 3 infield spots unaccounted for...just stick him in one and call it a day.

I'm not necessarily against Taylor as a guy to fill out the roster/organization, but the fit with two other veteran outfielders added in the same offseason — along with the fact you have tens of millions invested into 2 of the 3 positions already — makes this confusing to me. Want Dominic Fletcher to have to earn a spot on the club? Great, that's fine, he really struggled at the dish last year and some underlying metrics are bad. But this kind of freezes him out when you give all these guaranteed contracts to old guys with limited upside. For this last spot on the bench, I'd prefer someone else kind of marginal *like* Fletcher who might give you years of value if he takes advantage of the opportunity.

By now, I really dislike the idea of trying to trade Robert. I would be shocked if the Sox could get a good offer for him right now and the only thing he costs the team right now is money, which is something they shouldn't be tight on. If he comes out blazing hot, then trade him. If he doesn't, try to rehabilitate his value with the knowledge that if he isn't living up to expectation, then the years ticking off his contract becomes a value-add. Rebuilding is all about going for upside. Why sell low on a player who clearly has extremely high upside?

Sox in the past couple years were very much "well if EVERYTHING goes right, then maybe..." and then we say your luck never goes all one way. Then the luck all went one way and it was the wrong way. Now we're in the "doesn't really matter" phase although if things do go well, maybe the Sox could sniff .500 in 2026 if things go very well and they throw a little money at the situation.

Just in case it isn't clear to anyone, his situation is extremely grave. I wouldn't expect us to have him around much longer. Send him your appreciations and such while you can. Heartbreaking

Playing MLB the Show must have biased me because I kinda like Gallo (as a NRI who is more likely than not to never play for the Sox).

MLBPA has been criticized for taking bad deals due to bad leadership. But most recent CBA makes me think it may not be leadership problem so much as a lack of resolve. And adding minor leaguers to the picture is likely to make them even more likely to buckle in a lockout in exchange for a few peanuts to the minor leaguers and fringe guys.

I think last offseason, Getz was making moves like he was afraid the Sox might find themselves in a situation where they have one too many deserving players for the MLB roster/lineup. This offseason, I don't think he's looking it at that way anymore, which is good. Not to say I think we'll find the Sox with too many good players at any point soon...

I'm not always right, but man I hated this deal from the get-go before I even knew we were putting Bassitt in there.

Tiny 210 pound Edgar Quero? Right-sized 190 pound Kyle Teel?

I read that at least 15 times before realizing what you were referring to lol

Gonzalez had a real Jekyll and Hyde season. First 9 starts, through June 21: 39.2 IP, 38 R (!), 37 H, 29 BB, 9 HBP, 4 WP, 3 HR, 4 balks (!?), 43 K. Final 10 starts, starting June 28: 44 IP, 22 H, 10 R (1.84 ERA), 17 BB, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 0 balks, 3 HR, 49 K So I'd like to know what was going on starting in late June. Pretty clear the Sox believe/hope that he solved something.

Ultimately, strong catchers are so hard to come by it's hard to complain about getting multiple prospects. If they both pan out, Sox will manage.