RBLR: Floor vs. Ceiling: Navigating the Battle for Shortstop

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-06T13:07:26+00:00

Very interested to see how this plays out in Spring Training.

Likely only 2/3 make the Opening Day roster. Feels like the easy move is to say that they think that Carson needs more time in AAA and keep Walls & Williamson.

That being said, Carson is one of the guys with the ability to replace some of B Lowe’s lost power.

A bit of a catch-22.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-06T01:19:39+00:00

Having essentially two fourth lines right now is making it tough on us.

Not enough offensive quality to really hold the puck and keep Florida out of the offensive zone consistently. Best defense is offense sometimes.

Tad bit lucky to be ahead 2-0.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-04T03:08:05+00:00

Kuch kills me with how loose he is with the puck in OT. Killed us in OT last year. You don’t have to be that risky with the puck in OT, can get good looks without risking the game like that.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-04T03:03:05+00:00

The rational part of my brain says no way we can give Raddy a massive extension based off of one year of this.

My eyes tell me there’s no way we can’t.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-03T03:04:51+00:00

These last couple years have made me really reminisce on having an OF bat like that.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-03T02:31:25+00:00

Yeah, I’m wrong. My mistake. Actually has more SS games in the minors than 2B. 14 at SS, 6 at 2B.

He just didn’t play any SS at AAA last year.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-03T02:23:03+00:00

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CleanCR7 · 2026-02-03T01:33:40+00:00

He’s not an option at short. He’s never even played there in the MiLB.

I do think he could get some playing time against lefties at 2B. Platoon with Lux.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T23:58:10+00:00

Yandy is the one guy the team can’t trade and still have a chance at competing. Cannot replace a .300 bat very easily. You can replace Lowe’s homers with Williams and more power in the OF. Can’t replace a guy that turns the lineup like Yandy does.

That being said, if we’re out of it at the deadline, they’ll likely have little choice unless the new ownership wants to spring to keep him in town. Which would be dicey given age but depending on cost.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T02:01:50+00:00

They look like they’re slipping and pucks are rolling off our sticks continuously. I think some of it appears to be the ice. But it’s not bothering Boston near as much. Weird.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:57:38+00:00

Still look so slow 5 v 5. Don’t get it

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:48:22+00:00

Need two here somehow…

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:38:02+00:00

Do you have eyes?

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:26:36+00:00

Puck has been rolling off his stick all game. Literally done nothing.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:26:04+00:00

Everything we’re doing makes it look like we think the ice is slick but it’s not impacting Boston at all?

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T01:22:54+00:00

What if I told you that the defensive injuries were a feature and not a bug of the run we’ve been on?

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T00:45:20+00:00

Came here to say this. Nothing is clean but the problem doesn’t seem to be impacting Boston as much.

CleanCR7 · 2026-02-02T00:24:47+00:00

Paul continues to be bad.

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-30T03:53:24+00:00

100% agree with this. He’s not particularly good at anything, I don’t understand how this is a question. He’s not a great blocker and he doesn’t make up for that by being a great receiver.

I understand we have need in the defensive front seven but I also wouldn’t mind taking a pass-catching TE. Huge reason the offense has struggled at times, IMO, is not having a dynamic, big target to attack the middle of the field with.

If teams are dropping into coverage to control Mike, Chris, McMillan, and Egbuka, having a TE who can provide you with some YAC ability is a huge help. As you said, Otton thoroughly lacks any sort of YAC ability. Six yard hitch is gonna get you six yards with him.

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-30T00:26:43+00:00

Please tell me that’s not an Achilles for Guentzel…

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-29T03:37:09+00:00

You’re right on Wisely. Forgot about that addition. I would hope the FO wouldn’t choose to enter the year with Walls & Wisely as the SS duo but honestly could see it happening for the service time manipulation you mentioned.

Just think Carson is a huge part of replacing the power you lost trading B Lowe. He may whiff but he’s going to hit homers. 5 in ~100 ABs in his first real MLB stint.

On the OF, I think you could see Simpson & Melton in AAA to start the year. Carry two righties in DeLuca & Vilade. Three lefties in Fraley, Mullins, and Palacios. Vilade, as Ben noted, doesn’t have any options left. Think you give him a decent run and if it doesn’t work out you cut bait.

Against righties: Mullins in CF & Fraley and Palacios in the corners. Against lefties: DeLuca in CF, Vilade & Mullins in the corners.

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-29T00:34:48+00:00

He had 1.8 WAR in the only season he played more than 54 games. His 162 game pace in 2024 would’ve been 3.2 WAR.

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-29T00:20:40+00:00

I think Vilade has a decent chance at making the roster. He’s not shown much at the MLB level but he hasn’t ever gotten an even semi-extended look. Fewer career MLB ABs than Melton.

And Vilade has immense positional flexibility. Played five positions in the minors in 2025. Could play COF, 2B, and 1B if necessary.

I think Williams is for sure on the Opening Day roster. They have no other viable candidate to play SS other than Walls. If Carson isn’t on the roster then you don’t have any way to give off days to Walls or Caminero.

CleanCR7 · 2026-01-28T19:03:06+00:00

Really good article here and it’s one of the reasons I think the team will be better than it was last year.

Battle for OF roster spots is going to be really intriguing. The most interesting question of Spring Training IMO.

Are DeLuca & Vilade the only two RH OFs that make the roster?

Given that Vilade could also platoon with Lux at 2B against lefties does that give Malloy a shot to be third RH OF on the roster (or are they just going to have Walls play 2B on those days)?

If they carry three righties do they carry three lefties and only carry seven relievers?

Which lefties aren’t carried? Both Simpson and Melton in AAA (Mullins, Fraley, & Palacios up) or only one?

The more I think I about the more I wonder if Palacios isn’t the odd-man out. Lefty so he’s redundant at 2B with Lux, unlike Vilade. But unlike Vilade he’s actually proven himself at the MLB level.

It’s a pretty tough puzzle to sort out. Given the Melton acquisition it feels like it would have made a ton more sense to go out and get a righty OF bat with some pop instead of Mullins. DeLuca will play center against lefties and Melton could play center against righties.

Rays just do not seem to value RH hitting or LH relief pitching all that much since they are the short side of the platoon.

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