It would be all too easy (and tempting) to bash the Red Sox for their latest front office hire.
But I’m not going to do it. Not yet, at least.
Boston’s reported poaching of Tampa Bay Rays director of predictive modeling Taylor Smith as the first of an apparent front office overhaul elicited plenty of groans from Red Sox fans on social media.
Including the owner of this site…
Obviously the Sox were just missing a predictive modeling dude https://t.co/HWHT6UssHa
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) October 20, 2024
I won’t lie, that’s a good zinger, Greg.
I also won’t lie in saying that I had never heard of the “director of predictive modeling” title. But you know what? This is all part of the experience of running a baseball franchise in 2024, whether we like it or not.
I don’t know much about Taylor Smith other than to say he’s apparently well-regarded in baseball circles. One year removed from an offseason where it seemed top executives were spurning the Red Sox left and right, it’s not a bad thing to land someone with a little pedigree.
I know, I know… the last time the Sox hired someone with pedigree, it didn’t go so well. The name “Chaim Bloom” will forever be associated with the dark ages of Red Sox baseball, and rightly so.
Boston could reportedly name Smith as its assistant GM, giving Craig Breslow his long-awaited No. 2. But the reality is, the buck still stops with Breslow (we think, sort of, maybe). I doubt this Smith character is going to burst through the doors on Jersey Street and start trying to dictate how the Sox approach this offseason.
But sure, in a day and age when sabermetrics are here to stay whether we like it or not, having another smart guy in the room is a necessity. Some might say a necessary evil, and I probably startle the line of that thinking sometimes.
I’m certainly more of an old-school, “eye test” and “gut feel” kind of guy when it comes to baseball, but I won’t sit here and tell you that analytics have no place in the game today. You need someone who understands the in-the-moment nature of the game while also implementing the numbers.
I was optimistic that Breslow, being a former player and a former Red Sox himself, could be that guy when he was hired a season ago. I still hold out hope that he is, but the training wheels are now off and the rubber is hitting the road.
Breslow’s first season was markedly underwhelming, but we know the reality he’s dealing with in operating under an ownership group that has reeled back the spending. Now, with seemingly a bit of money to play with and the opportunity (and promise) to add to a team that seems to be on the cusp, it’s time for him to sink or swim.
Hope you’re a good swimmer, Craig. You too, Taylor.
Happy Netflix Doc Day
The long-awaited, much-pushed documentary about the 2004 Red Sox season is here at last. Netflix is finally releasing its three-part docuseries called “The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox” on Wednesday.
No team had ever come back from being down 3 games. Until the Red Sox did.
— Netflix (@netflix) October 9, 2024
The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox premieres October 23. pic.twitter.com/7wv0Tb6EDk
I haven’t watched it yet, but it’s generated nothing but good things from what I’ve read online.
Another indicator that this thing is legit is the fact that the elusive John Henry even made an appearance to watch the screening.
John Henry was IN ATTENDANCE for the special premiere of the @netflix documentary about the 2004 Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/Nzw0IhggKQ
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) October 22, 2024
He won’t show up to support his longtime employee and the longest-tenured Red Sox broadcaster in franchise history at his final game, and he can’t be bothered to take questions in the team’s post-mortem press conference, but hey… you can always make time for a movie.
Anyway, I’m sure we’ll all enjoy this documentary. Netflix has become really good at pumping out these docs, and with the unfettered access the Sox gave them over the past year, I’m sure they’ve unearthed some good stuff.
To me, ESPN’s 30 for 30 “Four Days In October” is the standard to beat. I remember attending the screening for that at Fenway as a very young reporter around 2010. I was even able to bring my dad along. It’s also when I met my baseball idol Curt Schilling for the first time. Good times…
I’ll tell you what, though. I can’t say I’ll be as excited to watch the behind-the-scenes documentary on the 2024 Red Sox whenever it airs…
Catcher Competition
Watch out, Connor Wong and Kyle Teel. You’ve apparently got some company.
With no actual postseason baseball to be had in Boston, the best thing we’ve got is watching the prospects down on the farm compete in the various fall and winter leagues.
Enter Brooks Brannon, the No. 27 prospect in the Red Sox’s system according MLB.com, who had quite a run for himself during the second week in the Arizona Fall League.
First @MLBazFallLeague homer for Brooks Brannon last night! pic.twitter.com/5YniiefCIG
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) October 17, 2024
Brannon went 7 for 12 with a homer, two RBIs, two walks and four runs scored in Fall League action. His performance earned him stand out honors in an MLB.com highlight piece, as well as the following summary…
“AFL pitchers hardly could get Brannon out all week … resulting in an obscene .643/.833/1.476 slash line for the week. The 2022 ninth-round Draft pick entered the Red Sox organization a few years ago with a reputation as a bat-first catcher, but has been limited by injuries in his first two pro seasons. He's showing off that hitting ability so far in the Fall League.”
That’s encouraging, at least. No, I’m not expecting this kid (20 years old) to be the next Pudge Rodriguez or Jason Varitek or something. But you can always find room in your lineup for another quality bat, and there’s always a chance the organization could build him up at another position.
Basketball baseball take
Karl-Anthony Towns wasted little time embracing the local baseball team.
The new New York Knicks star was sporting a Yankees hat when I and other reporters interviewed him after Tuesday’s season-opening blowout loss to the Celtics, and he was asked about a fellow Dominican Big Apple athlete.
"Juan Soto, in my opinion, is one of the greatest Dominican talents for baseball we've ever seen,” Towns said.
He continued, “He’s one of those guys when I get to watch from afar as a fan, even without him if he wasn’t on the Yankees, just to see the discipline he has at the plate, the power he possesses and the way he commands the plate and covers the plate. I mean, he does things that the greats of MLB have done, and I think in a way he (is) the Ted Williams of our time.”
Ted Williams, meet Juan Soto? I’m not sure I’d go that far, KAT. Make no mistake, Soto will go down as one of the greatest players in the game. But Teddy Ballgame was next level.
Making matters funnier, as soon as his interview ended, a cameraman piped up and said something to the effect of “you’re wrong, it’s Manny Ramirez” regarding the best Dominican hitter.
You could also throw one David Ortiz in to that conversation, guy. But either way, no argument from me…