Interesting article - but why didn't Chaim trade JD and Eovaldi this year if he's following a truly rebuilding approach? Let's be honest, both of those guys are too old to build a future team around- sure JD could still rake another 3 or so years as a DH but he will invariably decline (I'm doubtful he'll ever match 2021 numbers) and you can't trust Eovaldi to stay healthy, especially long -term.
My problem with Chaim this year is he's tried this awkward middle act between rebuilding and trying to compete and it's left us with a mediocre team with no clear direction for the future. When is this team next supposed to compete for a title? Not next year unless they make serious upgrades to the pitching staff that will be too expensive for ownership to accept. Beyond that you have the problem of an ageing team that will struggle to compete with other AL heavyweights even if you re-sign Bogaerts and Devers.
Despite everything you've said, I still can't believe we squandered that 2018 team who had multiple guys (even without mookie) that should have led to a dynastic era for this club.
Hi Mauro, honestly, Houston is following more of a Chaim Bloom-style path. They let their stars walk in free agency (Carlos Correa, George Springer) unless they can pay them significantly below market value contracts (Bregman, Altuve, McCullers). They aren't afraid to spend on free agents, but they limit their downside with shorter deals (one year for Verlander, two years for Brantley). And they develop players who can step in and replace any lost production (Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, Kyle Tucker).
That's not to say that Bloom will create an Astros-style run of success, but it's the same gameplan.
When you have a thesis but the evidence doesn't support it it's best to not run with the thesis.
The Wheeler, Syndergaard, and Gibson details are factually incorrect. I also don't see a problem with the Wheeler signing at all, nor any other deal listed except perhaps Castellanos. The extent to which he's bargained the future for the now is very minimal and unexceptional. In terms of prospects he traded a great C prospect knowing Realmuto's locked up for a while, turning into Marsh who filled an important need and won't be an FA for many years.
How is this article not taken down? I mean, these are EGREGIOUS mistakes and display a questionable approach to journalism but even if ya wanna give it a pass at least take it down.
Dombrowski didn't "hand out" contracts to Kyle Gibson, he signed that contract with the Rangers and the Phillies traded for him and Ian Kennedy in 2021...he is a FA after this year and won't be back
Also didn't hand out a contract to Thor, traded for him tnis year and contract up at the end of the season and won't be back
Wheeler wasn't Dombrowski signing but Matt Klentak
The others were definitely dombrowski so yeah.....
This might be the single most intelligent, spot-on SO post I’ve read from you.
Bottom line: Dombrowski and Bloom were hired to do two very different things.
Just two quick thoughts I’d add.
First, Dombrowski will deservedly be enshrined in Cooperstown one day. But his “win now, payroll and prospects be damned” approach doesn’t play so well in the luxury tax era.
Second, Chaim Bloom is not the Red Sox GM, and never has been. He’s chief of Baseball Operations.
Brian O’Halloran, who is the GM, works for him.
It’s amazing how frequently people make this mistake.
Interesting article - but why didn't Chaim trade JD and Eovaldi this year if he's following a truly rebuilding approach? Let's be honest, both of those guys are too old to build a future team around- sure JD could still rake another 3 or so years as a DH but he will invariably decline (I'm doubtful he'll ever match 2021 numbers) and you can't trust Eovaldi to stay healthy, especially long -term.
My problem with Chaim this year is he's tried this awkward middle act between rebuilding and trying to compete and it's left us with a mediocre team with no clear direction for the future. When is this team next supposed to compete for a title? Not next year unless they make serious upgrades to the pitching staff that will be too expensive for ownership to accept. Beyond that you have the problem of an ageing team that will struggle to compete with other AL heavyweights even if you re-sign Bogaerts and Devers.
Despite everything you've said, I still can't believe we squandered that 2018 team who had multiple guys (even without mookie) that should have led to a dynastic era for this club.
So why Houston are in the position to win for 8 years in row?
Hi Mauro, honestly, Houston is following more of a Chaim Bloom-style path. They let their stars walk in free agency (Carlos Correa, George Springer) unless they can pay them significantly below market value contracts (Bregman, Altuve, McCullers). They aren't afraid to spend on free agents, but they limit their downside with shorter deals (one year for Verlander, two years for Brantley). And they develop players who can step in and replace any lost production (Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, Kyle Tucker).
That's not to say that Bloom will create an Astros-style run of success, but it's the same gameplan.
Thanks for reading!
You mean Chaim is following a Houston path! ;-)
I think he'd like to, but that requires the farm system stepping up to a degree it hasn't yet. Thanks for reading, Derek!
💯
When you have a thesis but the evidence doesn't support it it's best to not run with the thesis.
The Wheeler, Syndergaard, and Gibson details are factually incorrect. I also don't see a problem with the Wheeler signing at all, nor any other deal listed except perhaps Castellanos. The extent to which he's bargained the future for the now is very minimal and unexceptional. In terms of prospects he traded a great C prospect knowing Realmuto's locked up for a while, turning into Marsh who filled an important need and won't be an FA for many years.
How is this article not taken down? I mean, these are EGREGIOUS mistakes and display a questionable approach to journalism but even if ya wanna give it a pass at least take it down.
Dombrowski didn't "hand out" contracts to Kyle Gibson, he signed that contract with the Rangers and the Phillies traded for him and Ian Kennedy in 2021...he is a FA after this year and won't be back
Also didn't hand out a contract to Thor, traded for him tnis year and contract up at the end of the season and won't be back
Wheeler wasn't Dombrowski signing but Matt Klentak
The others were definitely dombrowski so yeah.....
Thanks, Matt.
This might be the single most intelligent, spot-on SO post I’ve read from you.
Bottom line: Dombrowski and Bloom were hired to do two very different things.
Just two quick thoughts I’d add.
First, Dombrowski will deservedly be enshrined in Cooperstown one day. But his “win now, payroll and prospects be damned” approach doesn’t play so well in the luxury tax era.
Second, Chaim Bloom is not the Red Sox GM, and never has been. He’s chief of Baseball Operations.
Brian O’Halloran, who is the GM, works for him.
It’s amazing how frequently people make this mistake.
Cheers!