Sarava

I don't disagree with that. But I think the Sox team as it is currently constructed will depend on giving guys days at DH, which might preclude them from signing a fulltime DH.

I'm of the opinion that Eloy is the best hitter on this team, and will probably prove it next year when he's fully healthy. So I don't want him moved. And it's especially a bad idea right now, as his trade value is probably suppressed after his injury plagued season.

That could be a lot of things. If it means trading Eloy, no thanks.

Conforto and Schwarber? Where are you going to play Schwarber if you have Conforto in RF? Isn't DH kind of clogged up with Vaughn, Grandal, Sheets and Abreu all needing time there from time to time? And I would love Schwarber's bat in our lineup. Those Schwarbombs would fit in nicely between Eloy and Robert in the lineup. I just don't see a position for him here.

What are our needs? Semien fills our needs more than any player available this winter - possibly other than Max Scherzer. Semien hit 45 HR's - 35 of them against righthanded pitchers. The big things the Sox need are power against right handed pitchers and a TOR starter.

Nice contract for Avi.

Well \I'm disappointed, but I'm not jumping off the ledge just yet. I just hope this winter brings better things than Segura or Conforto.

They acquired him on the cusp of free agency since his original team couldn't sign him, then gave him the big deal. it's pretty much the same thing. He was a shiny toy from another team.

I agree there. This overpay would make a lot more sense from the Sox than from the Rangers. I'm not sure what they are doing down there.

Mookie Betts? That's a pretty shiny toy they traded for and then gave a $365 mil deal to.

Earlier today I said I wanted Semien, but was ok if the Sox passed if it went past 5 years. I think I regret saying that. He finished 3rd for AL MVP in each of the last 2 full seasons. How much more of a sure thing can you get? Why can't Jerry just say fuck it and spend the damn money for once? This team is on the cusp, but absolutely needs help. I'm going to puke if their big spend for the winter is Conforto and his < 1 WAR. Who else is out there to play 2B? They're running out of targets. Are we bringing Cesar back? Or worse yet, signing Leury to play 2B? Uggh

Those 2 seasons just happen to be his last 2 full seasons. That makes me more comfortable. But yeah, if some team goes crazy and gives him 6 or 7 years, then let them have him.

If you can get a contract that doesn't go too deep in to his 30s, he is the way to go. 35 of his 45 HR's were against right handed pitchers, which is exactly what this team needs.

That would be good then.

See to me - I'm thinking about October here. I want the Sox to win the World Series. If Rodon is leading the Cy Young race by the allstar break, but it is out of action comes October - what good does that do us? They'll be easy pickings for their first round opponent like they were for Houston.

They gave Rodon some serious periods of rest in the 2nd half and he still wasn't 'right'. That he pitched 2.2 in a playoff game doesn't really do anything for me or for the Sox. It might say he's a gamer that is toughing it out through whatever ailment he is dealing with, and I appreciate that of him. But that's about it really. Bottom line. If the Sox brought him back on a QO, and did nothing else with the rotation, and then he has a season ending injury by May. Everyone and their dog will be toasting Rick Hahn for depending on a chronically injured pitcher.

There's a risk here. If the Phillies find another closer, you may be stuck holding the bag.

Yeah, there's probably going to be different views on this one. Some may think the Sox caused his regression and returning him to his closer role will bring back the dominant Craig. Others may think 'Bad Craig' is back and that's what they will get. Personally, if I was a fan of another team in need of a closer, I wouldn't touch Kimbrel with a 10 foot pole.

It concerns me how Mets fans attitude seem to have a 'don't let the door hit you in the ass' attitude towards Conforto. They're going to know him better than you or I will. If it's just an injury plagued season, say like Eloy was for us - why do they universally seem to be fine with him leaving? To me, giving a guy 4/80 who is coming off a season of < 1 WAR is absurd. I would be ok with maybe 3/45? And even then, I'd expect the Sox to be hitting either or both 2B and TOR starter hard if they go light on RF and bring in Conforto.

Definitely kick the tires on this one. I like this option for RF way better than Conforto or any other idea I've heard. Vaughn + Sheets ++ for Mullins? Add in Kelley or whoever else is necessary. Of course, Vaughn might make Sheets redundant. I just thought Sheets might intrigue them being he is from Baltimore. But if you could pull something like this off, it would enable the Sox to get something cheap at 2B (like Cesar Hernandez) and spend the big offseason cash on a SP like Max. Those few moves would probably give the Sox the best roster in baseball.

I think you're way over-thinking this. Jerry Reinsdorf has always been terrified of paying pitchers while they sit on the DL. Carlos Rodon was amazing for the Sox for the first several months of the season - but then didn't give the Sox much in the last 2 months or in the playoffs. I would of been surprised if they offered him the QO, and if they had, Rodon would of certainly taken it (despite Boras saying otherwise). That's giving up 18.4 mil, for a guy that you don't even know will pitch next year. Or if he does, will he break down halfway through again? The Sox need more certainty with that 18.4 mil IMO. I think the Sox will acquire a TOR starter one way or another and this will all make sense then. Their idea probably is to use that money towards someone who is more likely to be healthy and ready to help in an October push for a World Series.

Schwarber's bat would fit in to this lineup probably better than anyone else I can think if. But the Sox don't need a DH, and isn't his range in the OF terrible? I know he has a cannon of an arm, but they really need to get some better defense. Otherwise I'd want Castellanos, who also is poor in the OF.

Ray scares me with the sky-high walk rates before this past season. Probably a bluff as others have said though.

Even if one isn't a fan of Eloy, and I am - selling low on him right now would be horrible asset management.

I get that the Sox are limited in what they can give up. I'm not against moving Vaughn for the right piece. I would say the same about Crochet. But a one year rental is not it. If there's no match for Chris Bassitt, then there's no match. As for Eloy, the only guy more untouchable than him is Luis Robert. Maybe Timmy as well.