These aren’t your All Stars; they’re your Fubars.
Two weeks ago, I compiled a list of all the players Alex Cora has penciled in around the diamond and asked you to vote for the Red Sox player who has played the worst at each position. To try to keep it fair (though it’s not fair, but neither is the All-Star ballot) players who were on the IL at that time, or in the minors, or no longer with the team didn’t appear on the ballot. Also, no position players were considered as pitchers, even if they pitched in a game.
On the one hand, these ballot results are extremely timely, as MLB prepares to break for the All-Star Game by the end of the day today. On the other, many things have changed for our Red Sox, and our fanbase, since balloting opened two weeks ago…veteran players have returned from the IL, top Fubar vote-getters were demoted to Triple-A, Alex Cora has made some drastic changes to his lineup—ones which seemed to have helped—and WE’VE WON NINE FREAKING GAMES IN A ROW.
That will really turn the mood around, won’t it? As we head off for the break, let’s feel good about having moved on from where we’ve been (if only for this beautiful stretch of July games).
Thank you for your time and interest in this thought exercise. Without further ado, here are your 2025 Red Sox Fubars.
The Results
Starting Pitcher: Walker Buehler
He ran away with this one, with 98% of the vote. His last start (a quality one) was better than we’re used to, but I wouldn’t say he’s become reliable or anything.
Catcher: Connor Wong
Also not a surprise, and another 98-percenter. A month before we cast these ballots, Matt Gross wondered why the Powers That Be chose Wong over Yasmani Grandal. It’s still an excellent question.
First Base: Connor Wong
Oh, look who it is again! Despite only playing one inning at the position, not having an official at-bat, and correctly executing his one chance in the field for a Fielding Percentage of 1.000, Wong is your voting leader. Nick Sogard (since returned to Worcester) was a close runner-up in this race though.
Second Base: David Hamilton
The clear winner, with 92% of the ballot. Also sent down to Worcester since ballots were cast.
Third Base
Now this is more of a race! Only one player can take home the honors, though there are several in the mix here. Of course, with Alex Bregman’s return from the IL, this has become a moot point.
1. Nick Sogard, 29% (95 votes)
2. Nate Eaton, 23% (75 votes)
3. Marcelo Mayer, 21% (69 votes)
4. Abraham Toro, 18% (59 votes)
Romy Gonzalez was your preferred third baseman.
Shortstop: David Hamilton
With 60% of the vote.
Left field: Jarren Duran
With 38% of the vote. I found it interesting that he was nearly neck-and-neck with Nate Eaton, at 36%.
Centerfield: Jarren Duran
Another two-timer on this list. Though to be fair, his only competition at this position was the excellent Ceddanne Rafaela.
Right field: Roman Anthony
Anthony was the clear winner in right field, with a 64% disapproval rating.
DH: Connor Wong
Wong ran away with this race too, with 73% of the vote in a crowded field. If Wong’s slash line isn’t a perfect embodiment of Matt Gross’s analysis of Drag Factor, I don’t know what is.
Reliever: Brennan Bernardino
He took home 48% of the vote; his only near competition was Luis Guerrero with 36%. You seem to be pretty satisfied with the rest of our relief corps.