Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

In his last scouting report for Baseball America, entering the 2022 season, Sweet's fastball sat at 92-94 MPH but his changeup was considered a plus-plus pitch, one that "dies late to get foolish swings and misses out front even when batters are looking for it." In fact, it was featured by BA as one of the best changeups in the minor leagues for prospects beyond the Top-100. If the nWo were still relevant, they'd call his changeup " Just too Sweet!"

Marc asks: Well, Tom Ricketts proved me wrong. I never thought he'd pony up for a high dollar FA again. So, what now? I see all the rumors about Nico Hoerner but I think the Edward Cabrera trade and Alex Bregman signing are "all in" moves and moving Hoerner would weaken them (I think). Is there another move you think they could/ should still make? I was surprised as well.

The Boston Red Sox really messed this one up didn't they? Two years ago they had both Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman on their roster. Two sure-fire All-Star caliber players. Two veterans who could be trusted to anchor a lineup that was surrounded by budding youngsters who were showing all kinds of potential. But after a late night deal was struck on Saturday between Bregman and the Chicago Cubs,

In the 19 years between 1993 and 2011, the Red Sox didn't finish in last place in the division a single time. In the 14 years since 2011, they finished in last 6 times. The lean Chaim Bloom years were intended, according to Fenway Sports Group, to serve as something of a resent to avoid the "boom and bust" cycles that we've seen over the last decade.

After making his MLB debut in the form of a single inning of work for the Rockies during the 2022 season, Davis has now played in each of the last four Major League seasons, albeit with not a ton more playing time than that initial cup-of-coffee appearance. Davis has 27 games and 62 1/3 innings under his belt, with a 9.53 ERA, 18.5% strikeout rate, and 9.2% walk rate.

Timlin was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round in 1987 out of Southwestern University. He made his big league debut in 1991, appearing in 63 games (three starts) and pitching to a 3.16 ERA and a 1.329 WHIP across 108 1/3 innings. He appeared in four games in the ALCS series against the Minnesota Twins that season and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.

Over the holidays, my father told me he was going to send me a Tim Wakefield bobblehead that he found in a junk pile at his house. I didn't have high hopes for this, given that description of its provenance, but it arrived last week, and it's beautiful. Truly awesome. Opening it, I felt moved-by remembering Wake's accomplishments and the man he was, and by memories of seeing him pitch. I'm also appreciating the high-class packaging, the two baseball cards inside, and the first-class craftsmanship.

By the numbers: The monthly median price for a coworking membership in the Boston area is $235, about $10 more than the national median, according to CoworkingCafe's Q3 industry report. Higher-tiered plans and small offices within coworking spaces could cost two or three times that amount. Boston's median day pass price ($45) also exceeds the national median ($30), per the report.

The additional news that Winckowski underwent internal brace surgery this month sheds more light on his potential timeline. The procedure typically allows pitchers to return sooner than they would if they had Tommy John surgery. Winckowski will be building back up as a starter, adds Adams. With several months of recovery still ahead of him, it makes sense that the Blue Jays inked him to a two-year deal.

However, Giolito also was realistic about the slim chances of that happening in the wake of Boston's acquisition of (and Johan Oviedo). Asked if the trades for Gray and Oviedo were a signal that the team plans to move on, Giolito replied, "That's what I think," adding that the "writing is on the wall" with regard to the fact that a reunion is unlikely.

I've been vocal about my love for Triston Casas, and my hopes for his emergence as a key part of the Red Sox roster for years to come. These hopes and dreams once seemed quite reasonable, based on early returns, but they've been dashed by significant injuries and questions about whether he can ever meet the physical demands of playing every day at an elite level.

ESPN's David Schoenfield gave Boston a positive grade for addressing an area of need at first base - especially at a lower cost than what it would take to sign a free agent like Pete Alonso. While Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles earlier this month, Contreras is under contract for the next two seasons at $36.5 million - with Boston also holding a $17.5 million club option for the 2028 campaign.