Who? Is that some woke district judge activist?
2025 Red Sox and MLB Thread
- Thread starter Deus Irae
- Start date
Who? Is that some woke district judge activist?
giantsownbrady
Brady's Kryptonite
The Red Sox were 9-4 against the Yankees this season. To blame this series on injuries is laughable. It was a choke job. Outside of a couple of innings late in game 1, the Yankees were leading the Sox and were in complete control of the series.
giantsownbrady
Brady's Kryptonite
This is good news, and the Red Sox should not bid to keep him. He's a good player, but he's not a $40m player.
The Boston Red Sox made their long-awaited return to postseason baseball in 2025, thanks in large part to a sharp offseason from chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and impactful debuts from some of the organization’s top prospects. But that playoff run came to a quick and painful end at the hands of their archrival Yankees, capped off by a crushing Game 3 loss in the Wild Card round.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the offseason - and while this roster is mostly young and relatively stable heading into 2026, the front office still has decisions to make. Specifically, decisions about who won’t be back. A handful of veterans are hitting the open market, and not all of them make sense to bring back - whether due to injuries, underperformance, or better options waiting in the wings.
Let’s dive into four names from the 2025 Red Sox roster who are likely on their way out.
After a rough start to the season, he settled in mid-year and posted a solid 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 145 innings. That’s the reliable mid-rotation production Boston was banking on - until late September, when another elbow injury ended his season before the playoffs.
Scans brought some relief, revealing no structural damage. But two elbow setbacks in two seasons?
That’s tough to overlook, especially for a team with a wave of young pitchers knocking on the door. Guys like Hunter Dobbins, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle are waiting for bigger opportunities, while Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are expected to be fully healthy.
And let’s not forget Garrett Crochet - the breakout ace who’s firmly established himself as the future of the rotation.
Still, none of those names are a true No. 2 caliber arm just yet. Boston needs a frontline starter to slot behind Crochet, but that doesn’t mean rolling the dice on Giolito again. His potential is clear, but history tells us availability is the key to value - and right now, Giolito can’t guarantee that.
May struggled out of the gate and never turned it around. He posted a 5.40 ERA across 28.1 innings with the Sox, walking nearly a batter every other inning while struggling to command his electric stuff.
Despite logging a career-high 132.1 innings in 2025, May has only cracked the 100-inning mark once in six MLB seasons. That level of fragility is hard to ignore, especially when May found himself on the injured list yet again before season’s end.
The Sox paid a steep price to get May - flipping one of the key prospects from the Rafael Devers trade - but sunk costs can’t justify future decisions. Boston simply can’t afford to bank on May as a backend rotation piece in 2026. There are better, more durable options on the free-agent and trade markets to stabilize the pitching staff without taking on that kind of risk.
The 2025 season saw more rehab than repertoire. Hendriks didn’t make his debut until deep into the campaign and only logged 13.2 innings in a Red Sox uniform.
His numbers? 11 earned runs on 12 hits across 14 appearances - not exactly what you’d hope from a veteran closer trying to turn the corner.
Add in flare-ups involving hip and elbow inflammation, plus undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery this year, and it becomes clear how far off Hendriks is from full health. Meanwhile, Boston’s pitching depth is overflowing with internal options who’ll need big-league innings next season. Hendriks’ track record is admirable, but at this stage, the Red Sox need more certainty out of a bullpen slot - especially one that might go to a high-leverage arm.
Acquired at the deadline to bolster the bullpen, Matz embraced a full-time relief role after a decade as a starter - and the results were impressive. Over 21.2 innings in a Red Sox uniform, Matz pitched to a 2.08 ERA and gave the team some much-needed stability in middle and late innings.
Still, as solid as he was, context may dictate a different path forward. The Red Sox are rich with young arms who may not all stick as starters long-term - and some could take on roles similar to what Matz just filled.
There’s also the matter of age; Matz turns 35 before the 2026 season and has dealt with injuries throughout much of his career. Boston might prefer a veteran reliever with a steadier track record if they’re looking for leadership and results out of the bullpen.
Ultimately, Matz gave the Red Sox a boost when they needed it, but returning doesn't feel like a fit given the club’s long-term plans and pitching pipeline.
Lucas Giolito, Dustin May, Liam Hendriks, and Steven Matz each brought something to the table-but for Boston to take the next step, the front office needs to be strategic, not sentimental. The time has come to trim the fat, elevate the next wave of arms, and add key veterans who can handle a full 162 and beyond.
If 2025 was the comeback, then 2026 has to be the launch.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the offseason - and while this roster is mostly young and relatively stable heading into 2026, the front office still has decisions to make. Specifically, decisions about who won’t be back. A handful of veterans are hitting the open market, and not all of them make sense to bring back - whether due to injuries, underperformance, or better options waiting in the wings.
Let’s dive into four names from the 2025 Red Sox roster who are likely on their way out.
1. Lucas Giolito - Flashes of Brilliance, but Too Many Red Flags
Boston brought in Lucas Giolito ahead of the 2024 season with hopes they could catch lightning in a bottle. That spark didn’t ignite right away - Giolito’s season was derailed by an elbow issue - but he showed up in 2025 ready to remind people of his All-Star caliber upside.After a rough start to the season, he settled in mid-year and posted a solid 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts over 145 innings. That’s the reliable mid-rotation production Boston was banking on - until late September, when another elbow injury ended his season before the playoffs.
Scans brought some relief, revealing no structural damage. But two elbow setbacks in two seasons?
That’s tough to overlook, especially for a team with a wave of young pitchers knocking on the door. Guys like Hunter Dobbins, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle are waiting for bigger opportunities, while Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are expected to be fully healthy.
And let’s not forget Garrett Crochet - the breakout ace who’s firmly established himself as the future of the rotation.
Still, none of those names are a true No. 2 caliber arm just yet. Boston needs a frontline starter to slot behind Crochet, but that doesn’t mean rolling the dice on Giolito again. His potential is clear, but history tells us availability is the key to value - and right now, Giolito can’t guarantee that.
2. Dustin May - A Gamble That Didn’t Pay Off
This trade deadline move felt questionable at the time, and it still does. The Red Sox brought in Dustin May from the Dodgers - a move that seemed more about LA clearing space for Blake Snell than Boston picking up a difference-maker.May struggled out of the gate and never turned it around. He posted a 5.40 ERA across 28.1 innings with the Sox, walking nearly a batter every other inning while struggling to command his electric stuff.
Despite logging a career-high 132.1 innings in 2025, May has only cracked the 100-inning mark once in six MLB seasons. That level of fragility is hard to ignore, especially when May found himself on the injured list yet again before season’s end.
The Sox paid a steep price to get May - flipping one of the key prospects from the Rafael Devers trade - but sunk costs can’t justify future decisions. Boston simply can’t afford to bank on May as a backend rotation piece in 2026. There are better, more durable options on the free-agent and trade markets to stabilize the pitching staff without taking on that kind of risk.
3. Liam Hendriks - A Comeback Attempt That Never Got Traction
The Red Sox placed a smart bet on Liam Hendriks in the offseason - a low-risk play on a high-impact arm trying to rebound from Tommy John surgery. But even for a three-time All-Star like Hendriks, the climb back is never guaranteed.The 2025 season saw more rehab than repertoire. Hendriks didn’t make his debut until deep into the campaign and only logged 13.2 innings in a Red Sox uniform.
His numbers? 11 earned runs on 12 hits across 14 appearances - not exactly what you’d hope from a veteran closer trying to turn the corner.
Add in flare-ups involving hip and elbow inflammation, plus undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery this year, and it becomes clear how far off Hendriks is from full health. Meanwhile, Boston’s pitching depth is overflowing with internal options who’ll need big-league innings next season. Hendriks’ track record is admirable, but at this stage, the Red Sox need more certainty out of a bullpen slot - especially one that might go to a high-leverage arm.
4. Steven Matz - Solid Contributor, But Likely the Odd Man Out
If there’s one name on this list who genuinely made a difference down the stretch, it’s Steven Matz.Acquired at the deadline to bolster the bullpen, Matz embraced a full-time relief role after a decade as a starter - and the results were impressive. Over 21.2 innings in a Red Sox uniform, Matz pitched to a 2.08 ERA and gave the team some much-needed stability in middle and late innings.
Still, as solid as he was, context may dictate a different path forward. The Red Sox are rich with young arms who may not all stick as starters long-term - and some could take on roles similar to what Matz just filled.
There’s also the matter of age; Matz turns 35 before the 2026 season and has dealt with injuries throughout much of his career. Boston might prefer a veteran reliever with a steadier track record if they’re looking for leadership and results out of the bullpen.
Ultimately, Matz gave the Red Sox a boost when they needed it, but returning doesn't feel like a fit given the club’s long-term plans and pitching pipeline.
Looking Ahead
The Red Sox took an important step forward in 2025 - developing a young core while returning to playoff baseball with a renewed competitive edge. But staying in the postseason conversation means making tough decisions, and that starts with knowing when to move on.Lucas Giolito, Dustin May, Liam Hendriks, and Steven Matz each brought something to the table-but for Boston to take the next step, the front office needs to be strategic, not sentimental. The time has come to trim the fat, elevate the next wave of arms, and add key veterans who can handle a full 162 and beyond.
If 2025 was the comeback, then 2026 has to be the launch.
Giolitto returning would seem to be cost-dependent
Matz returning should be an easy call, unless he asks for too many years (not sure whether Boston would be looking for 1 year or two for a guy at that age and skill level) or an absurd dollar amount.
captain stone
Well-known member
Suckers.
Yankees lose game one 10-1
The Yankees getting destroyed is a pleasant addition to the football Sunday.
View: https://x.com/SavageSports_/status/1974948872205308387
View: https://x.com/SavageSports_/status/1974948872205308387
captain stone
Well-known member
FUCK the fucking Blow Jays too, the fucking gutless fucking choke artists.
And FUCK TO FUCKING HELL ALL OF SCREW YORK SHITTY.
And FUCK TO FUCKING HELL ALL OF SCREW YORK SHITTY.
Blues Jays win.
Yankees = season over
Yankees = season over
The Red Sox have 9 players currently eligible for arbitration. Here are estimates of arbitration salaries from mlbtraderumors
•Nathaniel Lowe (5.145): $13.5MM
•Tanner Houck (4.100): $3.95MM
•Jarren Duran (3.155): $8.4MM
-(Red Sox hold an $8MM club option with a $50K buyout)
•Kutter Crawford (3.136): $2.75MM
•Romy Gonzalez (3.083): $1.8MM
•Connor Wong (3.079): $1.6MM
•Triston Casas (3.032): $1.7MM
•Josh Winckowski: (3.003): $800K
•Brennan Bernardino (2.150): $1.1MM
