1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: Everybody. Welcome to Moster Territory, brought to you by the 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,680 Speaker 1: Foul Territory Network partnered with Nelson. We have a very 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: special guest here today. We have Alex Spear of the 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: Boston Globe, my friend. Welcome to the show. It's a 5 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: pleasure to have you on. 6 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:14,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks so much, Robbie, glad to be able to 7 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 2: join you. 8 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: Yeah. I've been a big fan of your work for 9 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: a while now, so I'm very excited to talk some 10 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: a couple of things with you here today. We're going 11 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:26,119 Speaker 1: to be talking about the updated Baseball America Top ten. 12 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: I've been a big fan of Baseball America for as 13 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: long as I can remember. I remember when I was 14 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: a kid seeing the Baseball America magazines, you know, when 15 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: I go to books, million and whatnot. So excited to 16 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 1: get your thoughts on that. And then we're going to 17 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,479 Speaker 1: talk a little off season here as well. But let's 18 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: dive in to Baseball America here before we readily get 19 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: to the off season. 20 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: Meat and potatoes. 21 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 1: It's been a couple of weeks now since you've posted 22 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: your top ten. How are you feeling about it now 23 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: that things have simmered? Are you still feeling good about 24 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: your top ten? 25 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 2: What are you thinking? 26 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 3: I mean, I don't know that anyone ever feels particular 27 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 3: confidence in the exercise of ranking prospects years before they 28 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 3: make it to the big leagues. 29 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 2: But yeah, I think that. I think that the top ten. 30 00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 3: You know, it used to be that I would really 31 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 3: wrestle like forever and ever with like, oh my gosh, 32 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 3: like this is the end of the world. I have 33 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 3: to get these right, and ultimately you do enough of 34 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:23,680 Speaker 3: them that you're like, no one gets these things right. 35 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 3: Like it is an exercise and projection that has all 36 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,040 Speaker 3: kinds of uncertainty. Each layer of the minor leagues that 37 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 3: guys haven't gotten to is another level of uncertainty that 38 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 3: goes into their prospect status. So you do the best 39 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 3: you can and try to get as much information as 40 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 3: many perspectives as you can on why guys rank where 41 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:43,039 Speaker 3: they do, and you roll. 42 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: Oh trust me, you know, we have the channel here 43 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: mastera territory, But on my main channel on YouTube, I'll 44 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 1: do my predictions and everything. Every year. Everyone gets a 45 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 1: hoot out of them, and I wrestle with it until 46 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: like five am, even into the next morning. I know 47 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 1: exactly how you feel on that we have a couple 48 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: of names at the top that I think no one's 49 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: really surprised about. You got Peyton, Totally, Connolly Early up. 50 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: There anyone in the top ten that you find fascinating 51 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 1: that maybe could take that you could see maybe taking 52 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 1: a big step forward this year, someone that maybe we 53 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: don't have our eyes on as of right now, that 54 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: maybe could take a step into Fenway Park at one 55 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 1: point this. 56 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 3: Year, step into Fenway Park. I think that there are 57 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 3: probably a couple of candidates. Obviously, you know, obviously Totally 58 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 3: and Early have already gotten to Fenway. 59 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 2: As has just in stant Garcia. 60 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 3: But if there is an outside chance that you could 61 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,919 Speaker 3: have someone like a Franklin Arius, like, depending on the 62 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 3: health of the rest of the roster, he's starting the 63 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 3: year in double A, which means that if he is, 64 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 3: you know, if they have a need to lock down 65 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 3: shortstop defensively, then he would be a guy who he's 66 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 3: the number two prospect, who really could boost himself pretty quickly. 67 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 3: And then you know, beyond that, you're looking at you know, 68 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 3: you're looking at guys who are going to be entering 69 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,119 Speaker 3: the year like in the back of the top ten, 70 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 3: a lot of lower levels guys, so those are probably 71 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 3: not candidates prominent candidates to be contributors at Fenway Park 72 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 3: this year. But yeah, I think that that is one 73 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 3: of the interesting elements of the system right now. You 74 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,839 Speaker 3: do have a kind of longer timeline, a longer time 75 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:29,239 Speaker 3: horizon for them to contribute. The one other guy who 76 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 3: does have a chance to kind of zoom up in 77 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 3: the system, or two guys are Kyson Witherspoon, the first 78 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 3: round pick from this past year, and there's a decent 79 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 3: chance that he starts in Double A. He's super advanced. 80 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 3: He's way more advanced than Peyton Totley was at the 81 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 3: beginning of twenty twenty five, so there's a chance he 82 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 3: could rush through to the big leagues. And then Luis 83 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 3: Parrales was a guy who they were having conversations about 84 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 3: bringing him up to the big leagues even up to 85 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 3: the end of the season. So he's another guy who 86 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 3: has a chance to contribute, maybe even out of spring training, 87 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 3: depending on what the bullpen needs are. 88 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, and absolutely with those two names, completely agree. One 89 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 1: name that I got my eyes on a bit is 90 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: Wan Valera. A small sample size last year, thirty eight 91 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,919 Speaker 1: innings but a good strikeout to walk ratio was flashing 92 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: some pretty good stuff, good velo on the fastball, pretty 93 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 1: good breaking stuff as well. After you know your research 94 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: and whatnot, and you know, keeping track of everything there, 95 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: how are you feeling about someone like him? I could 96 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 1: maybe take a big step forward this year. 97 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 3: Yeah, he has a chance to fly up into top 98 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 3: one hundred lists by the end of this year. And 99 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 3: if he's healthy, stays on the mound and kind of 100 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 3: controls some of the you know, like if they if 101 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:45,320 Speaker 3: some of the if some of the surface level results 102 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 3: start to follow some of the underlying stuff grades and 103 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 3: particularly that the willingness to pound the strike zone, high 104 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 3: strikeout rate, low walk rate as a teenager, if if, 105 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 3: if he's able to build on that, then his prospect 106 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 3: right could soar. But I would be surprised to see 107 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 3: him fast tracking to the big leagues this year, just 108 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 3: because he's so young and they just need to kind 109 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 3: of like build build a foundation for him that's going 110 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 3: to be predicated on durability and a little more competition 111 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 3: against advanced pitching. 112 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: Oh for sure. It's I love the fact that we're 113 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: even talking about pitching prospects, because that felt so non 114 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 1: existent for a while, the days of hoping for Henry 115 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: Owens to make an impact. You know, it's nice to 116 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: see that, you know, we have a lot of pitching 117 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 1: in the system. But when it came to your top ten, 118 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 1: was there anyone you were wrestling with that you were, 119 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: you know, banging your head against a wall, like, ah, man, 120 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: I really want to get this guy in the top ten, 121 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: but nah, maybe not quite there yet. 122 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,080 Speaker 3: I think the one that I wrestled. You typically wrestle 123 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 3: a lot at number ten, right Like, that's because that's 124 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,159 Speaker 3: you're in or you're out, and and so that's when 125 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 3: you think long and hard about and particularly when when 126 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 3: you're picking a guy like Dorian Soto who has only 127 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 3: played in the DSL at this point, then that's a 128 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 3: pretty big dice roll because DSL stats are rarely predictive, 129 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 3: but there's some explosive tools there that give him a really, 130 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 3: really high ceiling if he ends up, you know, but 131 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 3: with a whole lot of uncertainty related to it. So 132 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 3: I wrestled quite a bit between him and and Marcus Phillips, 133 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 3: who was the Red sox other first round pick behind 134 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 3: Kyson Witherspoon this year. Marcus Phillips is someone who has 135 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 3: huge stuff, right Like he was able to sit at 136 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 3: ninety seven touch triple digits at Tennessee. There's a pretty 137 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 3: good amount of runway left in front of him. There's 138 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 3: not a lot of floor, much like Dorian Soto, there's 139 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 3: a really big ceiling. So that was the one that 140 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 3: I went back and forth with. But you know, but 141 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 3: I'm ultimately like, they're both for me. They were both 142 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 3: fringe top ten guys, right like, it's you're fine. I 143 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 3: was comfortable enough with the idea that one of them 144 00:06:54,839 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 3: was going to be in, one of them's going to 145 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 3: be out. They're both really interesting, high ceiling dudes, so 146 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 3: that's the incentive to get them in. But they have 147 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:07,039 Speaker 3: no floor based on their histories, so you're so you 148 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 3: don't feel too bad about them not being in. 149 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: Sure, Sure, there was one name I got to ask 150 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 1: you about that was not on the top ten Mikey Romero. 151 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: He came on the show a little while back. You know, 152 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 1: guys from really working hard there in the system. What 153 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: are your thoughts on Mikey Romero right now? Is that 154 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: a guy that you could see, you know, maybe taking 155 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: a step forward this coming. 156 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 3: Year, Mikey is pro Mikey first of all, Like this 157 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 3: he finally had a healthy season, which was incredible to see. 158 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 2: This year. 159 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 3: He's gone through an like, an incredible amount of adversity 160 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 3: in the relatively short period during which he's been a professional, 161 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 3: So it was really great to see him on the 162 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 3: field as much as we did. In terms of where 163 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 3: his uh in terms of his development path, it's becoming 164 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 3: a trickier path for him to be a steady big 165 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 3: league contributor because whereas he was drafted as a middle 166 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 3: infielder with an elite hit tool in the Red Sox 167 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 3: hope that the power would follow, instead, he's kind of 168 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 3: moved off into more of a corner profile, so he 169 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 3: spent most of his time once he got to triple 170 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 3: A at third base rather than still being at second base. 171 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 3: Like maybe there's a he's a guy who like who 172 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 3: His range has not held to what the Red Sox 173 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 3: expected at the time that they drafted him, So from 174 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 3: that vintage point, it's a trickier profile to be an 175 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 3: impact contributor. That said, like I do think that it's 176 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 3: worth keeping in mind that Mikey Romero played this year 177 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 3: as a twenty one year old reaching triple A. He's 178 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 3: been pushed aggressively with a relative paucity of experience on 179 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,680 Speaker 3: a level by level basis, So is it possible that 180 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 3: he could kind of more narrowly hone in on his 181 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 3: swing decisions and chase a little bit less, be a 182 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,319 Speaker 3: little bit more controlled because he does have that interesting 183 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 3: ability to drive the ball from gap to gap. 184 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: That could happen. 185 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 3: But I also I think that I think that his 186 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 3: you know, it's in terms of where he sits in 187 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 3: the prospect realm of how he's of how he's projected. 188 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 3: I do think today's fallen back a little bit. 189 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 2: Yeah. 190 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 1: I mean when you take a look at the numbers 191 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 1: from this past year, you know, the slugging looked good 192 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: at a four to fifty two, but the strikeouts were 193 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: up seventeen home runs. It'll be interesting to see, you know, 194 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 1: first round pick a couple of years ago. So we'll 195 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: see what ends up happening. But overall, I was pretty 196 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:20,959 Speaker 1: happy with the top ten think. I think a lot 197 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: of people out there would. 198 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 2: Say that KP. 199 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 4: The website is Chubbiesshorts dot com. The brand is Chubbys, 200 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 4: but it's not just shorts. 201 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, don't be fooled by the website's name. This is 202 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 5: a one stop shop for all things that I love. 203 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 5: Swimming trunks, golf polos, and even flannels. It fits me perfectly. 204 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 5: One stop shop is the place to go. 205 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 2: Yes, Sir KP. 206 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 4: I've been wearing their flannel overshirt. It's like my favorite 207 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 4: flannel and your softest sweater having a little baby. It's 208 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:52,840 Speaker 4: the best of both worlds. Classic flannel look with the 209 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 4: warmth of a fleece. And we know it's that time 210 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 4: of year to pull that off. The Chubby's flannel overshirt. 211 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,199 Speaker 4: It feels like your favorite flo but with the warmth 212 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 4: of a cozy sweater. 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Just head to chubbies 218 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 4: shorts dot com and make sure to support the show 219 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 4: by telling them that Foul Territory sent you. 220 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 1: But we have other things to talk about here, Alex. 221 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: We got we all love the prospects, right, we all love, 222 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: you know, the potential, but we all love the off 223 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: season as well. We all love the gossip of the rumors, 224 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: and we've had an interesting start to the off season 225 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 1: here so far. We knew kind of what the needs 226 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 1: were coming into this offseason. You knew you needed some 227 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 1: power in the middle of the order after trading away Raffi, 228 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 1: you needed someone behind Garrett Crochet. They acquired Sonny Gray. 229 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,680 Speaker 1: But you had an article here today. You're getting some 230 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,120 Speaker 1: opinions around the league. You know, what are the thoughts 231 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: on Sonny Gray as a number two? The consensus seems 232 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: to be from what you gathered, that he's more a 233 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: very good number three. That's kind of the way I 234 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 1: saw I said, like an eight or a nine out 235 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: of ten as a as a number three, Maybe like 236 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 1: a six out of ten as a two. Kind of 237 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:13,400 Speaker 1: what are your thoughts right now with the Red Sox 238 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: rotation and based off of you know, gut feeling people 239 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: you've talked to, what do you see the game plan 240 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,119 Speaker 1: being for the rotation this offseason? 241 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I think that the Red Sox upgraded their 242 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 3: rotation right I think that Sonny Gray is probably a 243 00:11:27,760 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 3: better option right now than Brian Bao, for instance, as 244 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 3: a number two starter, simply because he misses more bats 245 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 3: than Bayo and does a pretty good job of controlling 246 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 3: the quality of contact limiting the amount of the number. Like, 247 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,520 Speaker 3: I do think that the way that he handles righty's 248 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 3: is going to be a pretty interesting fit for Fenway 249 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 3: Park because he is able to avoid right handed airpole, 250 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 3: which is that's that's a big part of the game 251 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 3: and so makes him a nice fit. The interesting thing 252 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,680 Speaker 3: for me about Sonny Gray in going through this exercise 253 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 3: of not only asking his Sunny Gray number two, but 254 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 3: kind of asking what is a number two starter? What 255 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 3: are the components that go into that? Right, Like, is 256 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 3: it durability which is high on the list. Well, Suddy 257 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 3: Gray has been averaging about one hundred and seventy seven 258 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 3: innings for the last three years, which is something eventh 259 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:21,079 Speaker 3: in Major League Baseball, one inning behind Dylan Cees, right, 260 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:23,680 Speaker 3: like the guy who just signed for seven and two ten. 261 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 3: So that's interesting, right, even though he's thirty six. So 262 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 3: there's a cliff there. You don't know exactly where it is, 263 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:32,959 Speaker 3: but recent precedent suggests that he does a pretty good 264 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:34,839 Speaker 3: job of staying on the mound. And then you look 265 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 3: at things that that pictures really have the most control 266 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 3: over strikeout and walk rate. Being at the top of 267 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 3: the list, he looks basically identical to Joe Ryan, right like, 268 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,680 Speaker 3: which is super interesting that there are a lot of 269 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 3: elements of his game that. 270 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 2: Are Joe Ryan ish. 271 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 3: Ye, I know, there's reason to believe in Joe Ryan 272 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:57,719 Speaker 3: ahead of him, right Like, if you were to look 273 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 3: at stuff plus grades or control plus grades or command 274 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 3: plus grades, Joe Ryan beats Sonny Gray in all those categories. 275 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 3: And yet what Sunny Gray does as a manipulator of 276 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 3: pitches of the baseball is really good, right Like, There's 277 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 3: there's a lot of quality to it, but it's it's 278 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 3: very fair to ask is he. 279 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 2: A number three? Is he a number two? 280 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 3: In terms of like And it was interesting because I 281 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 3: expected there to be more data driven, more data driven 282 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 3: kind of conclusions or at least definitions about like what's 283 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 3: the three, what's a two? And still and it remains 284 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 3: the case instead that throughout baseball, you know, when you 285 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 3: reach out to front office members of scouts, most of 286 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 3: them are still going by more subjective tests like is 287 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 3: this a dude you'd want to make two starts for 288 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 3: you in a postseason series. If yes, he's a number two. 289 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 3: If no, you're not feeling then he's not a number two. 290 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:55,959 Speaker 3: So that's that's kind of where where things stand. And 291 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 3: the four people I surveyed who are all out of 292 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 3: the organization all came away saying not a number two. 293 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: Very good number three for Sonny Gray. Yeah, I'm kind 294 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: of in the same boat. I'm glad you brought up, 295 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 1: you know, the bat ball profile and it's funny too 296 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 1: against lefties in his career run around forty six percent 297 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: pull rate against lefties. So that's gonna work very well 298 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: with guys like will you or brave you out in 299 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 1: right field, and like you said, against righty's tend to, 300 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: you know, go more opo center, So that's gonna be 301 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: very good with the outfield there. I think there's a 302 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: lot of little things with Sonny Gray where I think 303 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 1: that could actually it could end up being a great fit. 304 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: One guy he kind of reminds me of mentality wise, 305 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: is Jake Peevy a little bit right, kind of has 306 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 1: sort of that uh sort of competitiveness, right, that that 307 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: sort of moxie out there, right, He's a guy that's 308 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: gonna be out there and he's gonna be just competing, 309 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:50,880 Speaker 1: you know, So that was the I don't know, it 310 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:53,240 Speaker 1: gives me that vibe a little bit, but we'll see 311 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 1: how it goes. But I do think there was a 312 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: lot of good, you know, little things about it. 313 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 3: He's a good picture when we're the or like he's 314 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 3: upgraded the Red Sox staff. I think that, you know, 315 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 3: is there room for further improvement? Right, like do the 316 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 3: Red Sox from here try to forge a rotation that 317 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 3: you know, let's face it, like the Yankees have, you know, 318 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 3: have returning Max Freed, you know, Carlos Rodon who was 319 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 3: really good last year even though it wasn't great in 320 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 3: the postseason, Cam Schlittler, who shows all the promise in 321 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 3: the world, and eventually Garrett Cole. Are the Red Sox 322 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 3: going to be going starter for starter with them as 323 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 3: things currently stand? You know, you would have to kind 324 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 3: of like you would have to squint and see this 325 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 3: realm of possibility for a guy like Connolly early or 326 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 3: for Brian Bao to take. 327 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 2: A next step forward there. 328 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 3: It would be if you were to conclude that they're 329 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 3: able to keep up, it would be based on projection 330 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 3: rather than what actually happened in the recent past. But 331 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 3: of course front offices operate in the world of projection. 332 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, and I have the Red Sox. They've 333 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 1: been deep into that. You know, when it comes to 334 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 1: the rest of the rotation, do you see them? You know, 335 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 1: you've kind of seen reports a little bit lately from 336 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: different outlets out there where you know, maybe it's like 337 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: fifty to fifty now where they do maybe go add 338 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: another guy. How are you feeling about that one? 339 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 3: Well, I don't know that I would say it's fifty 340 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 3: to fifty. I think that what the words that you're 341 00:16:15,320 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 3: going to hear very often in the days to come, 342 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 3: are you know, people with the Red Sox saying keeping 343 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,200 Speaker 3: our options open right like they're going to you know, 344 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 3: they're they're going to look for the way to make 345 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 3: the most significant upgrades at the at the best at 346 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 3: the best possible or the price point that they find, 347 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 3: the price points that they find most tolerable. 348 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 2: So you know, so. 349 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 3: Exactly what form that takes not sure, but I think that, 350 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 3: you know, I think that they've they've made a commitment 351 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 3: that they need to add like pure power in the 352 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: lineup right and you know, Bregman being kind of like 353 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 3: the baseline standard for that, and maybe you know, he's 354 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 3: not the pure home run hitter, although he was hitting 355 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 3: for a ton of power prior to the injury last year. 356 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 3: But you know, they're going to be involved in the 357 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 3: Pedalonzo sweepstakes and in sweepstakes for other guys who add 358 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 3: the middle of the order thump. So I think that 359 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 3: they'll add one major bat and then it feels like 360 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 3: there's probably going to be one additional move beyond those two, 361 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 3: and whether that's a mid tier free agent or whether 362 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 3: that's using some of the some of the trade some 363 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,160 Speaker 3: of the trade avenues they have specifically with their out 364 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 3: with their big league outfield group, Like, it feels like 365 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 3: there's one additional move, whether it's going to be upgrading 366 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 3: the rotation or whether it's going to be trying to 367 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 3: add trying to lengthen out the lineup with another major edition. 368 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 3: That's that's just the sense that I have, But I 369 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,199 Speaker 3: think that it would be it's a little bit it 370 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 3: would be a little bit misleading to say, oh, yeah, 371 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 3: they're going to like, you know, there's a fifty to 372 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 3: fifty chance of them getting another getting another elite starter 373 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 3: because I don't really think that that's that's kind of 374 00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:57,240 Speaker 3: how they're approaching the like broadly, the chances to get. 375 00:17:57,040 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 2: Better, Yeah, for sure. 376 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: You know, there's so many revenues they could go, you know, 377 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: and if they are to, you know, have a line 378 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,120 Speaker 1: of where you know, we all love talking the payroll here. 379 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,719 Speaker 1: I mean we're just the messengers where you know, everyone 380 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: gets all riled up over the payroll. But there's still 381 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:13,400 Speaker 1: a lot of routes they could go if they want 382 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,880 Speaker 1: to have a line, they can make trades out there. 383 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 1: One guy that is, you know, constantly coming up on 384 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: the rumor mill, you guys, Jaron Duran, maybe will your 385 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 1: bray you you know, what are you know, you've been 386 00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: talking about this as well. You know the Royals, you know, 387 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: maybe they could be doing something over there. I feel like, 388 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: you know, maybe you have to wait for this offseason 389 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: to unravel a little bit more, wait for free agents 390 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 1: to come off the board. You know, maybe teams like 391 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: the Royals, maybe even the Reds, you know, could make 392 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 1: a play for someone like Duran. What are your thoughts 393 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,480 Speaker 1: right now when it comes to their trade markets. 394 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 2: Keeping their options open? 395 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I think I do think that one thing 396 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 3: that probably merits mentioned is that the Red Sox aren't 397 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 3: in a great spot to be able to keep trading 398 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 3: from their young talent base. I do think that, you know, 399 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 3: the Crochet Deal left a mark, right like, and I 400 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:04,719 Speaker 3: do think that it was a year where you had 401 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 3: a couple of guys making major steps forward, and I 402 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 3: think that totally and early led the charge there. But 403 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 3: otherwise it wasn't a year of huge development and developmental 404 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: leaps for the Red Sox that really kind of raise 405 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 3: the overall value of their farm system. You didn't have 406 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 3: a bunch of breakthrough seasons, like, you didn't have the 407 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 3: kind of Christian Campbell position player twenty twenty four circa 408 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:33,199 Speaker 3: twenty twenty four trajectory happening anywhere in their system. So 409 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 3: I do think that they have to be a little 410 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,239 Speaker 3: bit careful about their younger talent base and trying to 411 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 3: like buy time for guys to be able to increase 412 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 3: their value, whether it's as future Red Sox big leaguers 413 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 3: or whether it's as trade candidates. And so because of that, 414 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 3: I think that that's part of the reason why you 415 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 3: hear a lot of their trade conversations centered around the 416 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 3: idea of dealing of one of their outfielders, particularly given 417 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 3: that they do have this significant inventory of left hitting outfielders. 418 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. 419 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 1: Absolutely, there's there's a lot that gonna happen here. The 420 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 1: off season is still very much young, and we got 421 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 1: a lot more time here. And I know you're excited 422 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: for the Winter meeting. You are going to the Winter Meetings, right. 423 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 3: I am, I am, I'll be, I'll be in the 424 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 3: happiest place on earth, you bet. 425 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 2: You well. 426 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: Let people at home know where can they find you? 427 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 1: Where can they read all that you have to say, 428 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: especially from the Winter Meetings. 429 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 3: You can always go to Boston Globe dot com, where 430 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 3: where my colleagues and I will all be, will all 431 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 3: be filing our dispatches about the latest that we're hearing. 432 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 3: And you know I am I am now on Blue Sky, 433 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 3: so you're welcome to follow me on Alex Speart on 434 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:46,280 Speaker 3: my Blue Sky handle bs handle if you will is 435 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 3: Alex Spear, So pretty straightforward, but yeah, it's it's always 436 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 3: a pleasure to be able to hear from anyone who's 437 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 3: taking the time to read. And I really appreciate the 438 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 3: chance to chat with you. 439 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 2: Robbie. 440 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely, thank you so much for coming on today with 441 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: all the information, all the little old and tidbits, but everybody, 442 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:04,159 Speaker 1: thank you for watching here today. If you kind of 443 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,360 Speaker 1: the way out, hit the like button, subscribe if you're new, 444 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:07,640 Speaker 1: and we'll talk to you next time.