2026 Red Sox Thread

[ViperGTS]

Quick disclaimer. I'm in the UK so I don't get to watch full games, just the highlights on YT each morning which, coincidentally, has becaome a bit of a highlight of the day of late.

I want to ask. When Tracy took over, I noticed for a few weeks the team seemed to get really aggressive on the bases - lots of being thrown out at third or at home. I'm starting to wonder whether a) that was a strategy from Tracy to get this team to be more aggressive/less passive and b) whether that has been a catalyst for the streak they're currently enjoying. Am I off base, or is there something there? They are less passive and there's clearly a fire there now.

It's a Tracy thing. It is a big reason they are being successful now. And kicking Driveline out help a lot. The other major part is Tracy doesn't play favorites at this point in his career. That might change but when you are a AAA manager you don't know who is going to be around due to call ups or trades etc. That also is a help.

 

[captain stone]

Cmon man, why are you listening to those clowns. You know better

Place Massarotti with a NON-Outsider who actually WANTS our teams to win, and you instantly have a much, MUCH better program.

 

[sb1]

Mead is a solid bat but for Early…I dunno man.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Mead is a solid bat but for Early…I dunno man.

A lot of people love Early.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Duran is hitting 0.192 (lousy) but he does look much better defernsively. When there is a fly to left I don't hold my breath anymore. Should have traded the guy? Maybe his bat comes alive to end the season? We will see.

 

[bormio]

The Red Sox have the 3rd best record in the AL now. Odds on that a month ago

 

[Steve102]

A lot of people love Early.

Traded a highly promising left handed starter for a IF hitting .244 for his career. Don't love it.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Traded a highly promising left handed starter for a IF hitting .244 for his career. Don't love it.

Agree. But Early is a junk pitcher. Junk guys are valued less than power guys (we kept Tolle), and sometimes keep getting injured due to the strain on their arm throwing junk.

We will see. Breslow did well with Contreras, Durbin, and Gray.

Yoshida and Story are gone after 2027 (saves $40M+). There is a SS and C prospect probably coming up next year. Need a big bat for the DH. Dump Campbell and Duran for a big bat DH? After that the team would be in a good spot to build from with a good farm system.

 

[Clonamery]

Agree. But Early is a junk pitcher. Junk guys are valued less than power guys (we kept Tolle), and sometimes keep getting injured due to the strain on their arm throwing junk.

We will see. Breslow did well with Contreras, Durbin, and Gray.

Yoshida and Story are gone after 2027 (saves $40M+). There is a SS and C prospect probably coming up next year. Need a big bat for the DH. Dump Campbell and Duran for a big bat DH? After that the team would be in a good spot to build from with a good farm system.

Hard throwers hurt their arms much more than junk/breaking ball pitchers. That's what my wiffle ball research has found to be true.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Hard throwers hurt their arms much more than junk/breaking ball pitchers. That's what my wiffle ball research has found to be true.

I thought it was the other way around. Junk guys never seem to last.

 

[Clonamery]

I thought it was the other way around. Junk guys never seem to last.

Well, control/command is a thing and often breaking ball pitchers can lose it for extended periods of time or altogether. The pitches flatten out and are more hittable. Sometimes you get it back and sometimes you don't.

 

[Bigdogx]

A lot of people love Early.

Looking like Mead is done for the year already....

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Looking like Mead is done for the year already....

Amazing. First at bat. It is 8 weeks plus the physical therapy. Essentially gone for the year.

 

[aluminum seats]

Amazing. First at bat. It is 8 weeks plus the physical therapy. Essentially gone for the year.

Let’s not exaggerate. It was his SECOND at bat.

But yeah, it sucks. I think he would’ve helped.

 

[manxman2601]

Duran is hitting 0.192 (lousy) but he does look much better defernsively. When there is a fly to left I don't hold my breath anymore. Should have traded the guy? Maybe his bat comes alive to end the season? We will see.

Have you heard of What3Words? It's a way of deciding location's based upon unique 3 word codes. Duran's code, apparently, is Strikes Out Swinging.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Have you heard of What3Words? It's a way of deciding location's based upon unique 3 word codes. Duran's code, apparently, is Strikes Out Swinging.

That is brutal. And here I thought you were a really nice guy, living a peaceful life with Doris.

What changed​

Duran's strikeout rate has jumped to roughly 29–30%. In 2025, it was about 24%. The clearest vulnerability appears to be elevated fastballs: he is swinging underneath them and missing pitches he previously fouled off or put in play. His 2026 whiff rate is about 34%, and his in-zone contact rate is only about 81%.

 

[Clonamery]

Have you heard of What3Words? It's a way of deciding location's based upon unique 3 word codes. Duran's code, apparently, is Strikes Out Swinging.

SOS

 

[manxman2601]

That is brutal. And here I thought you were a really nice guy, living a peaceful life with Doris.

What changed​

Duran's strikeout rate has jumped to roughly 29–30%. In 2025, it was about 24%. The clearest vulnerability appears to be elevated fastballs: he is swinging underneath them and missing pitches he previously fouled off or put in play. His 2026 whiff rate is about 34%, and his in-zone contact rate is only about 81%.

It was Doris that came up with it. She is pretty brutal. According to her, my three words are Is-That-It.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

It was Doris that came up with it. She is pretty brutal. According to her, my three words are Is-That-It.

Mine are Down-Big-Boy.

 

[manxman2601]

Mine are Down-Big-Boy.

In-Your-Dreams