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2026 Red Sox Thread

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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%.
 
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.
 

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