2026 Red Sox/MLB Season Thread

[byennie]

Seriously, when was the last time the sox had an elite batting catcher? Carlton Fisk??

Letting Martinez go, maybe some old heads can remind me why we did that??

Martinez could still really hit when we let him go, but his catching days were also over. Full-time DH the rest of his career.

Varitek also ate up over a decade, where he was pretty darn good albeit not "elite" at the plate.

Something I found interesting just browsing stats... there are only 7 catchers in all of MLB who qualify for the batting title. There just aren't that many full-time catchers these days, let alone big bats...

[Vermont Green]

I think you could use that same logic (limited sample size) to describe Early. And if I'm not mistaken, Mead was regarded as a top prospect while coming up. So I think he has some natural tools.

I don't have the baseball chops to project what type of player he will be. But he is a middle infielder who doesn't strike out a lot and can hit for power. Those seem a lot harder to come by for the Red Sox than quality starting pitchers. So I'm hopeful.

This is where I am at.  I saw this in an article out of WAS, both teams probably think they are selling high on their prospect and getting a player with high ceiling, at a position of need.  Both could be right to an extent.  But whatever argument is made, can go both ways.

I do find it odd that so many complained about the line-up/hitting, and now they bring in a hitter with an 0.852 OPS, and people don't like the trade.  What did people think it would take to get this level of a bat?

[Roy H.]

I think you could use that same logic (limited sample size) to describe Early. And if I'm not mistaken, Mead was regarded as a top prospect while coming up. So I think he has some natural tools.

I don't have the baseball chops to project what type of player he will be. But he is a middle infielder who doesn't strike out a lot and can hit for power. Those seem a lot harder to come by for the Red Sox than quality starting pitchers. So I'm hopeful.

This is where I am at.  I saw this in an article out of WAS, both teams probably think they are selling high on their prospect and getting a player with high ceiling, at a position of need.  Both could be right to an extent.  But whatever argument is made, can go both ways.

I do find it odd that so many complained about the line-up/hitting, and now they bring in a hitter with an 0.852 OPS, and people don't like the trade.  What did people think it would take to get this level of a bat?

Money spent in free agency.  Then you get to keep your prospects.

It's fine if the trade turns out to be value for value.  But, if it's just a hot season from Meade then we traded a good, cost-controlled pitcher to fill a need that could have been addressed in other ways.

[Vermont Green]

I think you could use that same logic (limited sample size) to describe Early. And if I'm not mistaken, Mead was regarded as a top prospect while coming up. So I think he has some natural tools.

I don't have the baseball chops to project what type of player he will be. But he is a middle infielder who doesn't strike out a lot and can hit for power. Those seem a lot harder to come by for the Red Sox than quality starting pitchers. So I'm hopeful.

This is where I am at.  I saw this in an article out of WAS, both teams probably think they are selling high on their prospect and getting a player with high ceiling, at a position of need.  Both could be right to an extent.  But whatever argument is made, can go both ways.

I do find it odd that so many complained about the line-up/hitting, and now they bring in a hitter with an 0.852 OPS, and people don't like the trade.  What did people think it would take to get this level of a bat?

Money spent in free agency.  Then you get to keep your prospects.

It's fine if the trade turns out to be value for value.  But, if it's just a hot season from Meade then we traded a good, cost-controlled pitcher to fill a need that could have been addressed in other ways.

This trade may or may not age well, true of any trade.  Same is true for over paying for a vet FA.  Would it really have been better to sign Bichette or Bregman (for example)?  Again, maybe it will play out that way, maybe not.    Trading Kyle Harrison for position players is shaping up to be a good deal.  Still time to go the other way also.

I saw a hit spray chart put up by Alex Speier:

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:z5nrheiao634zni6ecebaxni/post/3mrjlomlvds2j?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cbssports.com%252Fmlb%252Fnews%252Fcurtis-mead-connelly-early-trade-grades-red-sox-nationals%252F

There are about 9 outs that would have been wall balls or HR.  Mead could work out very well.  Time will tell.

[Goldstar88]

I think you could use that same logic (limited sample size) to describe Early. And if I'm not mistaken, Mead was regarded as a top prospect while coming up. So I think he has some natural tools.

I don't have the baseball chops to project what type of player he will be. But he is a middle infielder who doesn't strike out a lot and can hit for power. Those seem a lot harder to come by for the Red Sox than quality starting pitchers. So I'm hopeful.

This is where I am at.  I saw this in an article out of WAS, both teams probably think they are selling high on their prospect and getting a player with high ceiling, at a position of need.  Both could be right to an extent.  But whatever argument is made, can go both ways.

I do find it odd that so many complained about the line-up/hitting, and now they bring in a hitter with an 0.852 OPS, and people don't like the trade.  What did people think it would take to get this level of a bat?

Money spent in free agency.  Then you get to keep your prospects.

It's fine if the trade turns out to be value for value.  But, if it's just a hot season from Meade then we traded a good, cost-controlled pitcher to fill a need that could have been addressed in other ways.

This trade may or may not age well, true of any trade.  Same is true for over paying for a vet FA.  Would it really have been better to sign Bichette or Bregman (for example)?  Again, maybe it will play out that way, maybe not.    Trading Kyle Harrison for position players is shaping up to be a good deal.  Still time to go the other way also.

I saw a hit spray chart put up by Alex Speier:

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:z5nrheiao634zni6ecebaxni/post/3mrjlomlvds2j?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.cbssports.com%252Fmlb%252Fnews%252Fcurtis-mead-connelly-early-trade-grades-red-sox-nationals%252F

There are about 9 outs that would have been wall balls or HR.  Mead could work out very well.  Time will tell.

I agree. Early and Mead are gambles for both clubs. Small sample size for each player. You are right about Bregman/Bichette. Sox dodged a bullet there.