How do you improve the Red Sox

I wasn't comparing the teams, I was making a point about the fickle nature of fans. In particular, I was making a point about the ridiculousness of "win-now-at-any-cost" fan mentality, which tends to grossly overestimate how big an effect a deadline deal will have in a positive sense, while ignoring the vast downside. Those are the fans that want to make exactly the sorts of moves that prevent teams like this year's Cubs from ever happening (or, sans Betts and Bogaerts for Cole Hamels, this year's Red Sox).

But actually, since you mention it, the Cubs of two years ago look like the Sox of last year. And the Sox this year look kind of like the Cubs did last year: lots of young players having some success, and others still trying to establish themselves. One could even draw a parallel between the Lester and Price signings (a bizarre symmetry). And the ascendance of Arrieta and (hopefully) Wright into the upper echelon of starting pitchers. OK, that may be a stretch, but it's not completely out of left field. Maybe even a parallel between Schwarber's late-season recall and an impending (?) Benintendi call-up.

Regardless, acquiring Julio Teheran will not replace Ortiz. In fact, he'd cost players who potentially might, in part, some day. And he'd do it all while putting up a performance that will have exactly the same people clamoring to acquire him now screaming for his, DD's, and Henry's heads on a stake in two years.

Exactly. The problem the Sox have right now is that they don't have anyone doing the blocking who can be traded. *Maybe* somebody likes Hanley at half-price or Shaw (whose away numbers aren't inspiring). Maybe somebody would take a flier on Koji, although I'd like to see him stay and retire, hopefully on an up note. Beyond that, Buchholz if he strings together a few good starts? They just don't have the MLB excess to deal from. But they *will* if they stay the course. In 2-3 years, just when they'll be extending the Killers B, they'll have Moncada ready for OF/3b, Benintendi hopefully entrenched in LF, Chavis looking to break in at 3b, and Espinoza/Kopech ideally breaking in, with Groome (fingers crossed) on the cusp.

One area I really wish they were better at is developing quality relievers. The return isn't nearly as much, but good late-inning arms or viable 4/5 SPs, for that matter, can get you a top-60-80 prospect and a lottery ticket or two. Plus, a team really should have internal 'pen options.

I honestly do think they'll hang onto Moncada and Benintendi but they'll lose Devers at some point as I think Dombrowski will rationalize that they have Chavis for 3b and that Moncada will be at 3b ahead of him. If Ockimey develops into a major power threat as he goes up the ladder there could be some rationality there as Ockimey could block 1b for Devers and 3b has depth, although they could always move Moncada to 2b if Pedroia gets injured or ages badly or the OF if one of Bradley or Betts leave via free agency down the road.

The point is that if the idea to trade out of depth Devers will be a goner, which is a shame because I think he's better than the options they have - ultimately their best team by the time Devers is ready might have Moncada at 2b or in the OF with Betts back at 2b and I think he's better than Chavis.

Ultimately though, getting a big name/or #2ish type pitcher means giving one up and that means that either Espinoza or Kopech goes (I'd keep Espinoza, but I want to see what Kopech can do on the mound if he stops doing stupid things off it). And if they give up Espinoza, I'll be really, really ticked off. He is the highest ceiling pitcher they've had in their system since Clemens. Pair him with Groome, and also Kopech, and the Sox really have something to build on.

But as Fenway Fanatic was saying, the pressure is always on to win NOW - the media (or at least the ones who are the cynical Shaughnessy archetype or hot take Felger type of guys) has spoken!

Or you could argue that now is the time NOT to trade prospects because Ortiz will be gone next year.  The Red Sox will not cease to exist next season.  Some of us will continue watching.

I'm not trading multiple potential stars for a #3 pitcher who isn't fit for Fenway or the AL East.  And I'm not trading multiple potential stars for one expensive star either.  If we had guys like Moncada, Benintendi, Devers and Espinoza in the high minors this year, the Red Sox wouldn't collapse when Brock Holt gets hurt or Buchholz/Kelly can't figure it out and there is almost no depth.  And then we wouldn't be signing terrible players for $100 million because of no internal options either.

I pretty much agree 100%. Especially about Devers. I'm worried that they'll sell low on him. Chavis has been terrific this year, so you're right...there's an illusion of 3b depth, especially when (and I'm almost certain it happens) Moncada moves there. I just don't see much benefit at all to making a middling acquisition. It's a waste of resources, and could (probably would) hurt them badly come the offseason and 2017. They ought to fully explore their internal options.

Ortiz will be replaced via FA signing. We'll have the money to sign a power bat. There's no need to give up highly rated prospects during 2016. I'm completely opposed to trading for a heavy money rental for 2016 and beyond. We are paying heavily for Ben's mistake on Hanley/Pablo signings. Tread carefully Mr. DD.

Pitching will be difficult. I go back and forth on this. But Sox will need to find several relief pitchers for 2017. I'm going to assume E Rod will be back to his old self and improve on his off speed pitches. Then, we just need #5 starter. One thing people always talk about and it's always true, you can't have enough pitching....exhibit A, 2016 Red Sox.

So you're watching the game now and came to the conclusion that we need to replace David Price with a better pitcher?

If one were to look with a metaphysical perspective at the Red Sox "big market" moves (trading Lackey and Lester for Cespedes, Kelly and Craig instead of prospects; signing Sandoval, Ramirez, Price and trading for Kimbrel) and compare that to their "small market" moves (Miller for Rodriguez, patiently developing Betts, Bogaerts, Bradley, Vasquez, Swihart, et al. and finding hidden gems in Wright and Holt) one would almost think there was a higher power calling the Red Sox to be patient but for some reason they they just can't hear him (her).

Look at the standings, check out the Marlins' record and explain to me why they would trade Fernandez.

Common sense tells you they're not dealing Fernandez this season (and probably not next season either).

And with all these holes the Sox have, do you propose to trade away our whole farm system? Because that sounds like a such a brilliant idea.

Mike Trout would look very nice in OF, just saying.

That he absolutely would my man. That he absolutely would.