It’s probably hard to believe given the state of the organization right now, but it isn’t all doom and gloom down at Four Jersey Street…
The Boston Red Sox are, indeed, mired in a rough patch that now includes the firing of their coaching staff, injury sagas where players and members of ownership are directly opposing each other, rumblings that there is distrust and unease among those in the front-office, and an ugly record that is even more infuriating to look at when you consider how things could
look with just a few changes. I just don’t have the desire to dwell on any of that, so let’s try being positive for once!
If we’re going to do this, we probably need to take the big picture approach — we can only heap too much praise onto individual players — so let’s take a look at what has gone right this year.
HEY, THEY PLAY DEFENSE!
I don’t think there’s anyone who reads this website that expected this stark a turnaround when it comes to this organization’s defensive identity — just check out their ranks in defensive runs saved over the last five seasons:
DRS LEADERS
2022: -6 (23rd)
2023: -16 (24th)
2024: 49 (6th)
2025: 30 (12th)
2026: 49 (1st)
Willson Contreras and Caleb Durbin have been the primary difference makers at the corners, serving as gigantic upgrades over defensive butchers Triston Casas and Rafael Devers. Abreu and Rafaela have been their typical selves, as well, with the last three seasons starting this defensive turnaround and coinciding with their every day arrivals.
It’s legitimately fun watching these guys on that side of the diamond.
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
No, not the ones that they’ve already paid to fix the offense, but the ones they haven’t paid and only pitch once every five days.
(I was supposed to be positive, I know.)
Payton Tolle and Connelly Early have gone above and beyond expectations ever since first arriving to the big leagues, with the former continuing to make strides this season and the latter proving that knowing what to throw is just as important as how you throw.
Tolle’s four-seam fastball is one of the very best in baseball, and while he probably would like to throw it less, it still plays great alongside his newly developed sinker, curveball, and cutter. Tolle’s confidence in those secondary pitches is just as important as his ability to execute them, as he’s keeping hitters on their toes — allowing him to continue throwing heat by them even when he tires. The Red Sox haven’t done much to help him win games, but they’re getting a quality start just about every time (five of seven starts) he steps out onto the mound.
Early doesn’t have the same ceiling as his partner in crime, but he gets the job done. Boston has seen the rookie routinely pitch into the sixth and seventh innings and limit damage to that of solo home runs — though he should probably stop letting dudes crush the ball off him as often as they have. If all he does is give up a solo moon shot once or twice a game, though, they’ll take it.
MICKEY GASPER!
He’s good.
THE DIRECTION IS CLEAR
If you’re actually intent on building a long-term competitor, you have to start selling off pieces that won’t be here.
Sonny Gray is the obvious choice, as he’s currently pitching on a one-year deal and isn’t getting any younger. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres could both use some starting pitching depth, and depending on where they’re at by the end of the month, might be willing to pay a steep price.
Aroldis Chapman has been superb during his stay, but he is now more valuable to this organization as a trade chip rather than the closer. If you can nab a top-five prospect in someone’s organization for an old man, you do it.
I don’t know if you guys are ready for the conversation about Jarren Duran, but he could also fetch you a pretty return if he keeps his current pace.
I’d start selling today…
Other than that, things are going horribly.
