2026 Red Sox/MLB Season Thread

[Roy H.]

My prediction is that BOS wants to trade Duran, and would trade him for a single A prospect now one has ever heard of or a player to be named later.  But they need to be sure that Anthony will be coming back.  If they are not sure about Anthony, they probably need to hold on to Duran.

Not sure if hitting off a tee is going to be enough for BOS to pull the trigger and trade Duran.

It's wild how much Duran has struggled.  Remember last year when a Cease-and-Salas-for-Duran idea was reportedly offered, and the Red Sox rejected it?  And most fans agreed?

At the very least, he needs to agree to some time off and a rehab assignment.  Last night's outburst was unacceptable.

[BitterJim]

My prediction is that BOS wants to trade Duran, and would trade him for a single A prospect now one has ever heard of or a player to be named later.  But they need to be sure that Anthony will be coming back.  If they are not sure about Anthony, they probably need to hold on to Duran.

Not sure if hitting off a tee is going to be enough for BOS to pull the trigger and trade Duran.

It's wild how much Duran has struggled.  Remember last year when a Cease-and-Salas-for-Duran idea was reportedly offered, and the Red Sox rejected it?  And most fans agreed?

At the very least, he needs to agree to some time off and a rehab assignment.  Last night's outburst was unacceptable.

Would the MLB allow a 10-day IL stint for mental health reasons? Or does it have to be a physical injury?

It really seems like he needs to take some time off to get his head right (or at least closer to right), continuing to go out there and struggle is clearly making things worse. Then give him a rehab assignment in AAA to get his confidence back (and if he doesn't, then he's a prime change-of-scenery trade candidate). Just sending him to AAA outright would probably just make things worse.

[Celtics2021]

My prediction is that BOS wants to trade Duran, and would trade him for a single A prospect now one has ever heard of or a player to be named later.  But they need to be sure that Anthony will be coming back.  If they are not sure about Anthony, they probably need to hold on to Duran.

Not sure if hitting off a tee is going to be enough for BOS to pull the trigger and trade Duran.

It's wild how much Duran has struggled.  Remember last year when a Cease-and-Salas-for-Duran idea was reportedly offered, and the Red Sox rejected it?  And most fans agreed?

At the very least, he needs to agree to some time off and a rehab assignment.  Last night's outburst was unacceptable.

Would the MLB allow a 10-day IL stint for mental health reasons? Or does it have to be a physical injury?

It really seems like he needs to take some time off to get his head right (or at least closer to right), continuing to go out there and struggle is clearly making things worse. Then give him a rehab assignment in AAA to get his confidence back (and if he doesn't, then he's a prime change-of-scenery trade candidate). Just sending him to AAA outright would probably just make things worse.

Players can go onto the IL for mental health reasons.  I believe Chris Martin did with the Sox a couple of years ago.  I am sure he would need some sort of diagnosis, rather than he stinks and is not dealing with it well, but I would hope the Sox have someone on call who could correctly make such a diagnosis and recommendation if warranted.

[Silas]

This is pretty crazy....
Red Sox record through 108 games, each year with a different vibe.  Last 30 games this year....25-5

2026: 57-51
2025: 57-51
2024: 57-51
2023: 57-51

[Roy H.]

My prediction is that BOS wants to trade Duran, and would trade him for a single A prospect now one has ever heard of or a player to be named later.  But they need to be sure that Anthony will be coming back.  If they are not sure about Anthony, they probably need to hold on to Duran.

Not sure if hitting off a tee is going to be enough for BOS to pull the trigger and trade Duran.

It's wild how much Duran has struggled.  Remember last year when a Cease-and-Salas-for-Duran idea was reportedly offered, and the Red Sox rejected it?  And most fans agreed?

At the very least, he needs to agree to some time off and a rehab assignment.  Last night's outburst was unacceptable.

Would the MLB allow a 10-day IL stint for mental health reasons? Or does it have to be a physical injury?

It really seems like he needs to take some time off to get his head right (or at least closer to right), continuing to go out there and struggle is clearly making things worse. Then give him a rehab assignment in AAA to get his confidence back (and if he doesn't, then he's a prime change-of-scenery trade candidate). Just sending him to AAA outright would probably just make things worse.

Players can go onto the IL for mental health reasons.  I believe Chris Martin did with the Sox a couple of years ago.  I am sure he would need some sort of diagnosis, rather than he stinks and is not dealing with it well, but I would hope the Sox have someone on call who could correctly make such a diagnosis and recommendation if warranted.

How about Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

[Celtics2021]

My prediction is that BOS wants to trade Duran, and would trade him for a single A prospect now one has ever heard of or a player to be named later.  But they need to be sure that Anthony will be coming back.  If they are not sure about Anthony, they probably need to hold on to Duran.

Not sure if hitting off a tee is going to be enough for BOS to pull the trigger and trade Duran.

It's wild how much Duran has struggled.  Remember last year when a Cease-and-Salas-for-Duran idea was reportedly offered, and the Red Sox rejected it?  And most fans agreed?

At the very least, he needs to agree to some time off and a rehab assignment.  Last night's outburst was unacceptable.

Would the MLB allow a 10-day IL stint for mental health reasons? Or does it have to be a physical injury?

It really seems like he needs to take some time off to get his head right (or at least closer to right), continuing to go out there and struggle is clearly making things worse. Then give him a rehab assignment in AAA to get his confidence back (and if he doesn't, then he's a prime change-of-scenery trade candidate). Just sending him to AAA outright would probably just make things worse.

Players can go onto the IL for mental health reasons.  I believe Chris Martin did with the Sox a couple of years ago.  I am sure he would need some sort of diagnosis, rather than he stinks and is not dealing with it well, but I would hope the Sox have someone on call who could correctly make such a diagnosis and recommendation if warranted.

How about Intermittent Explosive Disorder?

Isn?t that what you get from eating the bad lettuce?

[Vermont Green]

This is pretty crazy....
Red Sox record through 108 games, each year with a different vibe.  Last 30 games this year....25-5

2026: 57-51
2025: 57-51
2024: 57-51
2023: 57-51

That is wild, this is 85.5 game pace.  The question of course is what happens from here on.  Are they really better than a 85.5 win team, worse, or will they end up with 85-86 wins.  It is hard to tell what is equilibrium for this team.  A lot may depend on who comes back and when, and in what condition.  But even if you assume no Anthony and no Crochet, I would probably bet over the 85.5 games.

[Vermont Green]

Since losing to BAL to break the streak, the Sox are 5-2 in 7 games vs. TOR and OAK.  That is pretty good but this is two teams you expect to win against.  Now they have 3 vs. LAD and this could give them a 10 game streak of anywhere from 8-2 to 5-5.

After these games vs LAD, the schedule is not that bad for several series, CWS, OAK, TOR, PIT, AZI, SF, MIA.  Those should be all winnable series (although you don't expect them to win them all).  22 game stretch that I feel is important for them to establish who they really are as a team.