Play Tessie - A Red Sox Podcast

If things were bad for the Red Sox after Cincinnati, they got much worse in Houston with three uncompetitive losses. Gordo, Sammy, and Pat share their levels of concern for the Sox after their first six games of the season. Then, the lineup has felt lifeless for quite a bit, but it really can't get worse can it? And, the run prevention strength from the Sox didn't appear.

Fresh off making the Red Sox rotation, rookie starter Connelly Early joins Gordo, Sammy, and Pat from Fort Myers to discuss his ascent through the minors to the end of last season in Boston. Early also gets into his friendship with fellow pitching prospect Payton Tolle and what their relationship is like. And, Early reveals his long-lasting affiliation with taking care of service dogs and why he goes by Connelly instead of his real first name.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat get into the first series of the season going against the Red Sox in Cincinnati. What were the biggest mistakes made by the Sox in their two losses over the weekend to the Reds and will these concerns linger all season long? Then, the issues in 2025 regarding runners in scoring position have carried over, but the guys don't believe the Sox will struggle like this all year. And, there is tons of positivity still to take away like the first start from Connelly Early and the two monster home runs from Wilyer Abreu.

The 2026 season got off to the best start you could think of with the Red Sox winning their Opening Day game with the Reds. Gordo and Sammy look at all the notable moments from the victory including Roman Anthony building off his WBC momentum for a scraping offense. Then, it was a little surprising to see Isiah Kiner-Falefa starting, but Marcelo Mayer's pinch-hitting proved to be the difference. And, Garrett Crochet looked just like Garrett Crochet which could be a bit of a shock this early into the season.

The beast! The war pig! Whatever you want to call him, Garrett Crochet joins Gordo, Sammy, and Pat from Fort Myers to talk about the sting of being eliminated from the playoffs and the group he's with entering year two. Who amongst his pitching peers is Crochet excited to work with? Also, Crochet discusses more about his love for aquariums and the sea creature he has a tattoo of. And, you won't believe what gets the Red Sox ace to break when discussing what TV shows he watched as a kid.

Spring Training is now in the rearview mirror and Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are ready to give their predictions for the 2026 Red Sox season. Where will the lineup and pitching staff stack up with the rest of the MLB? Then, despite what projections may say, the Sox will have home run hitters to a certain extent. And, the player that may be quiet in the baseball world, but will establish themselves during the year.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are coming to you from Fort Myers with Spring Training near its very end. Reactions to Marcelo Mayer being named the Red Sox Opening Day second baseman. Also, Kristian Campbell will start the season in Worcester, but no one should be expecting a superstar rise when it comes to Campbell's success. And, would a Payton Tolle or Connelly Early piggyback to Ranger Suarez beginning the year hurt the development from the young pitchers?

There's one more team in the AL East to preview in our Outlook series and that would be the New York Yankees. Gordo, Sammy, and Pat give their assessment on how the Bronx Bombers are essentially running things back from their offseason. Also, with the return of Gerrit Cole and emergence of now villain Cam Schlittler, how good is the Yankee rotation? And, it may not be the strongest lineup, but its got Aaron Judge and that's all New York may need.

Not quite what Gordo, Sammy, and Pat were expecting out of the World Baseball Classic Final which saw Venezuela take down the USA. Where things went wrong for Mark DeRosa and his roster and the overall assessment of the WBC tournament. Then, the big winners from the WBC had to be the Red Sox for all their players breaking out for their respective countries. And, before the game Sox got some reinforcements in the bullpen by signing Tommy Kahnle.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have a chat with Red Sox broadcast analyst Lou Merloni with a little over a week away from the season starting in Cincinnati. How would Lou asses what moves the Sox made and didn't make this offseason? Then, Lou gives his expectations for Roman Anthony and what would qualify as a good season for him. And, the stock that Lou is taking from what we've seen in the World Baseball Classic.

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat react to the breaking news that the Red Sox are adding to their bullpen by signing veteran lefty Danny Coulombe. What role will Coulombe have and how does the rest of the bullpen shape up? Then, its time to continue the AL East Outlook series and feature the reigning American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays. How would their offseason of adding Dylan Cease, but losing Bo Bichette be described and how do they stack up with the Sox?

The big story to come from the World Baseball Classic has been the dominance from the Red Sox representations. Gordo, Sammy, and Pat break down Brayan Bello figuring out his pitches and Jarren Duran crushing lefties in a big way. Then, how do the Sox manage the playing time from their surplus of outfield hitters? And, Masataka Yoshida doesn't seem like an everyday player so his pinch hitting skills will be put to the test quite often.

Masataka Yoshida has been on another planet during the World Baseball Classic and Gordo, Sammy, and Pat can't help but notice. Does this success mean anything for what Yoshida could do for the Sox in the 2026 season? Also, it might not be playoff baseball, but the WBC carries quite the energy from the players to the fans. And, we might need to start preparing for life without Romy Gonzalez as he gets another opinion on his shoulder injury. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our AL East Outlook series continues with Gordo, Sammy, and Pat diving into the big moves made by the Orioles. What kind of grade do the guys give Baltimore for their offseason including signing Pete Alonso? Also, the Orioles' roster is filled with former top prospects like Colton Cowser who need to start proving themselves. And, while the lineup looks better and the starting rotation got upgrades, there may still be holes in the bullpen and frontline pitching. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A name we thought was in the past resurfaced and Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are wondering why that is. How believable is it that the Red Sox could still acquire Isaac Paredes from the Astros? Also, Jarren Duran remains the most likely name in a trade, but at this time in Spring Training the value might not be equal. And, a deal would make things awkward with Caleb Durbin already dealt for and Marcelo Mayer likely to be demoted if it happens. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are breathing a sigh of relief that Roman Anthony wasn't injured on his outfield collision, but are noticing two rough starts this spring from Brayan Bello. Is there any nervousness or concern about Bello's production in the starting rotation after his start to spring training? Then, Connelly Early's spring is making the guys rethink who should have that fifth and final rotation spot. And, the near-term solution for Payton Tolle would be as a bullpen arm, but long-term solution is to keep developing him as a starter. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a second straight year, Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are ready to preview the rest of the AL East beginning with the Rays to start the division outlook series. Should Tampa be viewed as the team most likely to finish last in the division? Also, there always seems to be magic in the air when it comes to the unexpected success the Rays have, but that time might be coming to an end. And, there is power in Junior Caminero and the return of Shane McClanahan, but Kevin Cash will have his work cut out for him. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before getting into the big headlines, Gordo, Sammy and Pat react to recent events from Spring Training including a big day for Pirates' prospect Konnor Griffin and a bad one for umpire Mitch Trzeciak getting corrected by ABS multiple times. Then, going back to Alex Cora's comments about Marcelo Mayer's roster spot and how realistic it could be that Mayer won't be on the Opening Day roster. And, what kind of extension are the Sox going to have to offer Wilyer Abreu if both sides are truly interested in one? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo, Sammy and Pat pick up where they left off last episode when discussing the part Triston Casas will play in 2026. Where will Casas start with the Red Sox and could he make Opening Day with the videos and reports that have come out? Also, the way the roster is constructed there might not even be a spot for Casas on the roster. Then, the guys get into a debate about who the faces of Boston sports are and how they rank amongst each other. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let the games begin! Its time for Gordo, Sammy, and Pat to talk about the first set of games for the Red Sox this Spring Training. With eyes on the starting rotation, who will be the fifth starter in that rotation after the spring? Also, Johan Oviedo's upside gives him a good chance to earn a spot in the rotation. And, if we skipped Spring Training, it sounds like that final spot would go to the veteran Patrick Sandoval. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To the surprise of many, we actually heard Red Sox ownership speak in the form of Tom Werner. Gordo, Sammy, and Pat react to the candid comments Werner made about the Rafael Devers' saga and losing Alex Bregman. Also, should fans want ownership to speak out honestly or just to squash any stories that come up? And, Devers may still be in a Red Sox uniform if first base didn't become an issue with Triston Casas going down last season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just when we thought there wasn't anything noteworthy to come out of Fort Myers, Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have plenty of thoughts after hearing from Sam Kennedy. What to make of Kennedy saying Alex Bregman didn't want to be with the Red Sox and how to treat when ownership speaks to the media? Then, Masataka Yoshida seems like the forgotten player on the Sox roster and no one knows what exactly his role will be in 2026. And, its not just the starting rotation that has depth and Triston Casas and Kristian Campbell are likely to start the year in Worcester. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everyone is down in Fort Myers for Spring Training and there's mixed feelings from Gordo, Sammy, and Pat after handing out their offseason grades. What are the biggest issues fans had with their grading system of the Red Sox offseason? Then, if ZIPS projections mean anything, it'll be a tough season for the lineup without a hitter with more than 20 home runs. And, the focus for Craig Breslow was defense, but just how good is it? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right before pitchers and catchers report to JetBlue Park, the Red Sox make a big trade to finally fill that void in the infield. Gordo, Sammy, and Pat give their thoughts on Caleb Durbin and others being acquired from Milwaukee for Kyle Harrison and David Hamilton among names sent back. Also, Durbin has shown to be versatile so its anyone's guess where he'll be on the infield on Opening Day. And, with the roster seemingly set it stone, the guys evaluate what kind of offseason the Sox had. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Its a special Who Says No episode as Gordo, Sammy, and Pat go through and react to listener submitted trade proposals for the Red Sox. Which ones are the most realistic and are these even deals the Sox will make before the season starts? Also, Isaac Paredes' name came up in a lot of submissions so Houston and Boston could be on a collision course. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat were definitely shocked when they found out the Red Sox signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Why did the Sox pay $6 million for a defense first infielder who struggles with the bat? Then, some reports say that the Sox still want to acquire a bat so maybe IKF isn't the only infielder they bring on. And, after Framber Valdez signed with the Tigers, that Ranger Suarez contract he signed with the Red Sox looks very different. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are now less than one week away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers and Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are wondering if a trade is coming anytime soon. Will the Red Sox make a trade for a bat or stick with the roster they've got by holding out for a better option down the road? Then, it could come down to the Sox not being able to make a deal since its so late in the offseason. And, if the Sox don't make another move, they'll have to choose between David Hamilton and Nick Sogard who should start at second base. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We finally saw some action from the Red Sox, but not the kind Gordo, Sammy, and Pat were hoping for. How big of a deal is it for the Sox to trade away Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin? Then, the guys get into into it with each other about Eugenio Suarez signing with the Reds if the sox should have been more aggressive to get him. And, its becoming more and more likely whoever starts the year at second base will be internal and Kristian Campbell is a polarizing name many haven't paid attention to. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we still wait for the Red Sox to make a trade to complete their offseason, Pat has a Who Says No proposal for Gordo and Sammy to fill out their lineup. Would the Sox and Marlins make a one-for-one deal to bring in Xavier Edwards for Franklin Arias? Also, where would this deal rank among previous trade ideas and how Edwards compares to another potential trade option in the Cubs' Nico Hoerner? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hard to think about the Red Sox when the Patriots are in the Super Bowl, but Gordo, Sammy, and Pat are able to find the connection. How good is the Boston sports landscape right now? Then, where do the Red Sox stack up in the American League if they entered the season with the roster as currently constructed? And, the looming salary cap that is the focus of a potential lockout is the dark cloud that is hovering around the state of baseball. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat keep waiting for the Red Sox to make a trade to add to their lineup and land on the Cubs' Matt Shaw. Should the Sox try to acquire Shaw and how would he fit in their lineup? Then, Craig Breslow maybe shared some info about the kind of infielder he's looking for that is more defensive oriented. And, no matter who Boston gets, they won't be a seamless fit based on the price they'll pay or the player they're getting. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sammy has another Who Says No trade proposal for Gordo and Pat that focuses on the defense since the big bat is still not in the picture. Would the Red Sox and Rockies agree to a deal to send Ezequiel Tovar to Boston for Juan Valera, Justin Gonzales, and Tyler Uberstine? Also, everyone agrees Boston has one more big trade in them, but no one really knows what player they can get that would fit seamlessly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo and Pat start by talking about who will have to get DFA'd now that the Ranger Suarez signing is official. Who's on the borderline and who ultimately has to go so Suarez can be on the 40-man roster? Then, there are conflicting reports about how much the Red Sox and Astros are talking about a trade centered around Isaac Paredes, but Wilyer Abreu might need to be involved to make it happen. And, Dustin Pedroia missed out on the Hall of Fame even though it feels like he has a good case along while Manny Ramirez is officially off the ballot. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gordo, Sammy, and Pat have had a few more days to digest the Red Sox signing of Ranger Suarez. Would the starting rotation look better with a co-ace to Garrett Crochet over a combination of Suarez and Sonny Gray? Then, Pat brings Brett Baty to the table as the bat the Sox trade for, but the fit might not be clean considering it would add another lefty to the lineup. And, Isaac Paredes has been another name floated that could salvage the lineup and even the infield defense. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drop everything! The Red Sox finally signed a free agent! Not only that, but they boost their rotation by signing Ranger Suarez away from the Phillies. Gordo and Sammy react to the Sox bringing in another big lefty to pitch behind Garrett Crochet. Also, was this the right pivot days after losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs? And, the pitching depth is once again brought up and could be used in a deal to get the bat the Sox have been looking for. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices