Flash

I've always liked Comforto but primarily for his bat. I'm guessing he could be expected to play better RF then a Sheets/Vaughn/Engel combo but how much so is anyone's guess. I'm less convinced that he would be a significant improvement offensively over the combo platter, as I have high expectations for them in '22. I am however entirely convinced that Marte would be a major improvement over Leury or any other potentially available 2B options. in a vacuum and all things being equal, I'd prefer Marte over Comforto.

Can I ask why you feel it would be a disaster?

Exactly why I stipulated in Bold payroll flexibility (vs. acquisition costs, prospect capital, length of K, etc.). I'll rephrase the question...notwithstanding any other factors except payroll, which option do you prefer.

Question...if we only had the payroll flexibility for ONE of the following, would you prefer to see Comforto in RF and Leury at 2B; or, a Sheets/Vaughn/Engel combo in RF and K. Marte at 2B. Simple question, I understand there are a host of other options/permutations and nothing is absolute.

The Sox are in win now mode but have holes to fill. While we all agree we could/should improve the roster through free agent signings, I doubt it will happen. If we target players in trade, we need assets to exchange and Vaughn would be attractive to many teams because of his bat and his contract. The reality is there is no where for him to play here regularly in 2022 except as a weak side platoon RF'r (w/Sheets) and back-up LF'r to Jimenez. He could also be expected to DH on occasion. Personally, I'd rather move Jimenez but he won't return as much as Vaughn due their contracts.

Wonder where Colas would/will rank?

If you equate Gallo to Adam Dunn (even allowing for the difference in defensive ability) and ignore the addition of Luis Gil, then of course you would not like the trade.

NY was not kind to Gallo which is why he will likely be moved. I've gotta believe he will bounce back, especially with a change of scenary and provide a potential bridge to Colas.

Interesting rationale. Let's see if I can net it out. Small sample size but consensus is... No on John Means despite his LH profile, nasty stuff and 4bWAR in '21 (including no-hitter). No on a year of Gallo despite his 38 LH bombs, GG defense and 4.3bWAR in '21, along with Luis Gil just isn't interesting enough to consider moving Vaughn for. Maybe to probably on Ketel Marte. Tough crowd.

The above was posited based upon my belief (unfounded of course) that Sox will not be spending big bucks on FAs (sorry Comforto fans). Means is arguably the best pitcher who MIGHT be available through trade, although who knows what Baltimore is considering. As to Gallo/Gil...Gallo had a shit year in '20 but has 1 yr. left at $10M and, in addition to elite LH power, provides GG corner defense. From what I've read and seen of Colas, he might be ready for the bigs by '23 and Gallo can move on (unless we want to resign him). Gil definitely looks the part of a middle-bottom rotation piece or set-up man and is worth rolling the dice on Katz coaching. Marte is Marte and a perfect fit. I'm a huge Vaughn fan but we have very little by way of trade chits and Vaughn is arguably the most valuable among the replaceable. He would likely start the season as back-up to Eloy in LF and the weak-side of a RF platoon with Sheets (and some DH vs. LH pitching). I'd rather not trade him but as I mentioned, sadly, I don't think we sign a big money FA unless we somehow move Kimbrel and Keuchel. Personally, I think the Sox would better themselves with any of those three options but I'd be most in favor of #1 or #2.

Just to break the monotony, would be interested in your views of trade scenarios assuming we made Vaughn the centerpiece. Depending on the target, we would likely need to add a lower tier player or two to even the value but this is more or less a proxy for the positions you feel should/could be addressed by trade. I'm not advocating a Vaughn trade and would hope we might be able to improve by signing a free agent or two but here are 3 that might work: 1) Vaughn (maybe plus Burger) for John Means (Orioles SP)? 2) Vaughn to NYY for Joey Gallo and Luis Gil? 3) Vaughn (maybe plus Burger and Kelley) for Ketel Marte? Thoughts?

McNeil fills a need. I'm unconcerned by reports of what might have occured between him and Lindor. The problem is the Sox don't have obvious assets that appear to be workable in trade scenarios without dealing from core pieces and/or broadening the scope of the trade to include other players. We can all contemplate interesting win/win packages. For me, I'd love to nab McNeil and McCann, but we need to be willing to part with a popular asset or two.

BTVs valuations are just an east, 2-click source for comparison purposes but you can't ignore them for some players and use them for others. As for Jimenez, he is no longer a prospect and his value has declined each of the last 2 plus years. His best year was 2019 when he posted a 1.8 fWAR...followed by '20/1.6 and '21/0.2. I get that he has power when he gets to it (55 career HRs in >1000 ABs) but, for me (just one man's opinion), he is DH only if/when he can stay on the field. If $12.8M AAV is chump change these days, I'd rather pay McCann and McNeil (Grandal can DH and catch once in awhile) and then sign Comforto or trade for Gallo. I'd take that group any day than rely on Jimenez reaching his potential and playing an adaquate LF...both of which require he doesn't injure himself.

Sure but fair warning...my Tesla in in the shop most of the time and barely on the road. On the rare occasions its drivable, it garners a lot of attention because its blinged out in lots of gold trim.

I see in BTV where McCann has negative value. I like him for the Sox anyway. They also value McNeil more highly than Jimenez even though Jimenez is quite a bit younger. I just don't get the Jimenez love. His power potential gave him strong value despite his clown act on defense when he was under arbitration wage scale. Let's see if he can play a few games and produce better than 1.5 WAR in 2022 now that he is being paid. My hope is that it isn't in left field.

Jimenez, Kimbrel and Collins for McNeil and McCann?

I agree. I figured this board would be up in arms about mere mention of trading Gio. My guess is D-Backs would prefer shedding salary to acquiring Gio, so swap out Gallen for MadBum from D-Backs and we send Vaughn, Crochet and Burger (not Gio). BTV likes it.

Thought I'd posit a few names I'd like to see us pursue in trade. These are less obvious than some and assume no major FA acquisitions such as Comforto. 1) Daulton Varsho, D-Backs - very unconventional defensive profile fills several holes for us. In 2021 he started 37 games as catcher and 36 games in OF (CF in 19). LH hitter with power and 5 years of control. D-Backs unlikely to move him unless they are overwhelmed but am guessing they'd love to get out from MadBums remaining 3/yr $55M. 2) Joey Gallo, Yankees - disappointed after coming over from Rangers. Can play either corner at GG level and, while strikeout prone, has LH power few, if any, can match. Under contract at @$10.5M in '22 would probably benefit from change of scenery. If he clicks, can extend him and if not, he buys us another year of development for the youngsters. 3) Ian Happ, Cubs - has been erratic at the plate but turned things around nicely after horrible start in '21. Hit 25 bombs (would have been 2nd highest on Sox). Career 800+ OPS as a switch-hitter. Capable of playing multiple positions including 2B/3B and all 3 OF positions. Similar profile to L. Garcia but with more power and a bit better range. Of course 'it takes two to tango' and Sox are thin on trade capital. My sense is short of taking on the salaries trade partners might be seeking to move, names that might be required to turn deals for the above include, Jimenez, Vaughn (Varsho would be the only name above I would consider moving Vaughn for), Crochet, Bummer, etc. And...just to add some controversy, it might be fun to contemplate what a potential return package might look like if we dangled Giolito (plus ?) to the D-Backs for let's say Varsho, K. Marte and Zac Gallen?. Oh well...such is life with no baseball to look forward to and time on my hands.

Dumb question (based upon your list) but is Colas actually signed? I guess I wasn't paying attention.

Where did you find the information about 2018/19 profitability? Is this published somewhere?

Let's do some business with the Reds. Castillo and Winker would solve a lot of issues. Might have to take on Moustakas contract but he might be serviceable at 2B and insurance for Yoan.

Or an Eloy trade 😄

Couldn't agree more. We tend to forget just how dominant Rodon and Lynn were in the first half of the season. They were arguably 2 of the top 3-4 pitchers in the AL. The hope is Lynn will report in good playing shape and somehow we recapture a healthy Rodon. I would handicap both of those events as 'iffy'. Any regression by Lynn and/or Gio/Cease and all of a sudden we aren't such a sure thing in the AL Central.

Upon which the Dodgers promptly extended a QO

I hope Chris Taylor is signed. He provides exactly what Ben Zobrist brought to the Cubs...positional versatility and 'grindiness'. It will be interesting to see what Dodgers do now that Seeger has bailed but if I only had one FA from this crop, Taylor would be the guy.