Sale-ing Away

I know, I'm so clever with the title, right?

It came to my attention that I haven't commented on any of the big news coming from the Red Sox this offseason, and I'm sure you were all waiting and wondering what I think. So, here we go.

A new GM. Or baseball ops cheif, or whatever title Chaim Bloom used to have and is not somewhat covered by a position Craig Breslow now has. I never had that much of a problem with Bloom. I did think he had a flaw Theo had where he was a bit to willing to ride it out with his guys. In 2011 Theo made the calculated gamble to patch holes with his prospects instead of trading them for help, assuming the Sox would still win just enough to keep them in the playoffs. He was a game off. I saw Bloom as the same. Rather than trade guys to fill holes from injuries, he hoped to tread water until they came back. Bloom was similar. Rather than get replacements for Story or Sale, he hoped he could tread water until they returned. But, all the injuries seemed to linger forever, and he got bit. As far as roster construction, he didn't seem that far off. So, as disappointed as I was to see him go, I was glad to see a Theo guy in Breslow come take his place. Honestly, with Theo's endorsement, I'm shocked there were other choices. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if all the other options that "turned down" the Sox really turned them down by saying, "Aren't you going with Breslow?" Sort of like when Billy bean turned down the Sox and told them they had that Theo kid anyway. So I was very happy to see what Breslo could do.

He didn't waste much time by trading Alex Verdugo. He was a solid borderline all-star, but losing him doesn't seem like the end of the world. The Sox seem more than happy to go with their young outfielders, and I can't argue against that. Some combination of them should be able to fill in for things just fine.

Breslow wisely avoided the Ohtani/Yamamoto circus. I didn't want any part of either of those contracts.

The Sox were, however, to add Lucas Giolito to the rotation. While not as flashy, he's exactly what the Red Sox were missing. A guy you can count on to go out there and be good. He'll keep you in the game until it get in the bullpen. All the time. It's one of those things where you may not even notice. But, halfway through the season things just seem better, and you can't quite put your finget on it. Until you notice that last year the #3 starter went 4 innings giving up 4 runs, and Giolito is always going 5 and 3. Just that solid performance you need. Of course, he also has much more upside than that. If he can find his previous form, that would go a long way. He has a great floor, and a great ceiling.

Of course, the biggest news is the trade of Chris Sale. I'm amazed that when after the Giolito acquisition if mock rotations put Sale at the top and everyone responded with "he's not an ace anymore". If the rotation went Bello-Giolito-Sale, people would complain that Sale would never be healthy enough for that spot. But, now that he's been traded, he was apparently prime Pedro. Again, I like this move. Sounds like the Sox filled a position of need by getting a good young second baseman in exchange for a huge question mark. My guess is that replacing what they actually expected for Sale might not be difficult. Replacing what they "hoped for" from Sale? That might be tougher. But, there's still plenty of time to figure that one out. 

I'm excited to see how the roster fills out. This is going to be fun.

Go Red! 2021 Topps Fire Flame Alex Verdugo

February is American Heart Month. As a nod to the Go Red for Women activities going on this month to help raise awareness, I thought I'd contribute several "red" themed posts sprinkled throughout the month. Here's the next one.

Let's talk about this card...

I think we're all hoping for a little more from Verdugo this season. As the major leaguer the Sox got in return in the Mookie Betts trade, we all hoped he would be Mookie's replacement. Of course, a one-to-one replacement was unfair. But, maybe at least an all-star caliber player? Which, he's been pretty close to thus fast. He had an pff year last year, but the first two were definitely solid building blocks. As he enters his age 27 season, hopefully he can take that next jump in a solid lineup.

The card itself is really interesting. As Fire always does, there are several different designs showing up throughout the set. This one, with the green elements, makes the red foil cards look a little too christmasy for my liking. Otherwise it's a nicely cropped shot of Alex in his Boston Strong jerseys. Nothing much to complain about there.

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If you are able, I highly recommend you support the American Heart Association's efforts with a donation. You can find the link here.

Support the efforts to Go Red for Women!

2021 Donruss Optic Blaster

Time for a different blaster this time. I had a box of these lying around, so figured it was time to give it a try. I don't usually love these unlicensed cards. But, in the constant search for cards, and variety, these can be a nice option. How did it go?

As you know, there's only one way to find out!

Here's the box. Apparently it's made by Panini. If only there was a way to figure that out.

And the packs, including the super special bonus pack!

So, people like to complain that the Topps monopoly makes them too comfortable to produce boring, uninspired designs. Or, maybe the fact that their only competition produces things that look like this implies Topps actually does a pretty good job design wise. I mean, really?

OK. This design is at least a little something different. And, it's always nice to add another Pedro to the collection. Although, the neon "Lights Out" seems like it's trying too hard.

And there you have it. Not the world's best box. But, it's always fun to open cards. 

Right? 

2021 Topps Allen & Ginter Blaster!

It's time to open some more cards! How about another blaster of 2021 Topps Allen & Ginter? Still working on my thoughts with the set...whether it's still old fashioned or just old. But, it's still fun to open cards, right? 

How did this one turn out? Let's see!

The packs, as always. After all, I can't have the thumbnail showing off the good stuff...assuming there is good stuff.

Is this good? Anytime you can grab a card of this MVP candidate it's a good thing.

A great card of David Ortiz. Bonus points because I was at the dame mentioned on the card. Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS when Ortiz finally sent everyone home happy and avoiding a sweep.

See?

I have to admit, I'm getting a little bored of random Ted Williams cards for no reason.

Verdugo is going to have a big year this year, right? I keep expecting it. Anyway, here's his mini.

Here's the back of it, with all the numbers spelled out. Is that how people used to write their numbers? Seems like an incredible waste of time.

And there you have it. Nothing to write home about. A couple decent players, but not the world's best blaster.

How did yours go?

2021 Topps Heritage Blaster!

Looks like it's been a while since I've opened one of these. They're always a lot of fun. Do you enjoy these as well?

How'd I do?

Let's find out!

Here's the box, including the fun throwback design. I wonder how they came up with the "6+" age restriction. What about cardboard makes is inappropriate for kids under six? Are the wrappers choking hazards or something?

Here are all those choking hazards all spread out. Not exactly a ton of packs in this one. Or, any one I suppose. I do like the design, though.

And here's the card design we were all expecting. Everyone knows what the design looks like, and has for the last 50 years. We also already know what the Red Sox hedge looks like. I really need to figure out how to get there someday.

And that's it. An entire blaster, five whole packs, and one Red Sox cards. I know that's not exactly odds busting. But, it's a bummer anyway.

How did your blaster go?

2021 Topps Fire Blaster

Let's open some more cards! How about another blaster of 2021 Topps Fire? I wonder if we can do better than last time.

How did this one turn out? Let's see!

Here's the box. I went with the landscape side this time.

And the packs. Both the box and the packs give you an incredible feel for what the cards look like, without showing an actual card. Impressive. 

Ugh. Starting things off with a friggin Yankee. This one looks odd, though.

Oh, that's why. I guess if I'm going to get a numbered parallel of a non-Red Sox...might as well be of a Yankees "star".

And, finally, a Red Sox!

But, yeah, if those are the only two cards worth talking about, this isn't exactly the best box of all time.

Or this month.

How did your box go?

2020 Topps Chrome Update Blaster!

Here's Another box that I picked up at some point when I found them. I know you're probably sick of the 2020 stuff, now that the 2022s are practically ready for release. But, I think it's always fun to look and talk about cards. I hope you feel the same way.

Let's check it out!

In case you've forgotten what a box of these looks like. 

And what the packs look like. I'm always surprised that there are only four cards in each pack. Trying to decide if I'd rather pay twice as much for twice the cards. How about you?

That's a great bat, don't you think? If I had pulled this in 2020, pretty sure it would have been a bit of a downer. A reminder that Mookie Betts was having an MVP type year in LA and Verdugo was here in Boston. Now? Mookie was much more pedestrian out west, and Verdugo was a key player on the Sox ALCS team. The trade is looked at quite a bit differently now. So, I can appreciate the artistry in this card a lot more than I would have otherwise.

But, that was the only Sox card in the box. The Sox may have won the Mookie trade, but I did not "win" this box.

How about your boxes?

2020 Topps Heritage High Number Hanger Box

OK. Can you keep a secret? I bought this box by mistake. Doing one of my standard checks online at Target I was surprised to see Heritage Highs pop up. I assumed it was a blaster. After all, it was at the blaster price. Alas, it was not. It was one of those hanger box things, whatever they are. 

Oops.

But, might as well see what was inside, right?

Or, you know, what's outside. I'm almost positive the picture on the website didn't look like this. Or, I was just mindlessly buying cards...which I can't be sure didn't happen.

But, seriously, three packs?

Delino DeShields Jr showing my displeasure.

A fun insert of Bo Bichette continues the "sons of major leaguers" theme. This insert series is an excuse for Heritage to have some fun, and I don't hate it.

I guess three packs aren't too bad if you get one of these. The gold version of the Baez memorabilia card is numbered to 99.

A Red Sox card! I don't know if I'll ever make it to Red Sox spring training, but I need to know if that hedge is in a public location so I can get a picture.

So, the Baez and now a Robert RC. I guess they were a pretty stacked three packs. 

Hard to be too disappointed since I got about a blaster's worth of value in these three packs.

Not that I plan on buying anymore of these.

Of course, I didn't plan on buying this one either.

You buy any? How'd it go?