Two-Gun Pete

Not enough, apparently. This must mean that they believe in Keuchel/Lopez/Stiever/Lambert, and the durability of Kopech more than I do. See, Rodon was unreliable, but Kopech and the gang are reliable.

Spotrac has the SOX as having the 2nd most payroll committed to relief pitchers. 25% of the payroll is committed to relievers. So, when we get to drink in the goodness of Josh Harrison at 2B, or have to watch our 1B/DH types stumble about the OF, now you'll know why. That said, I'm told I can't ever criticize RH, because he's just right about these things. So, be careful around these parts.

For years to come? Be prepared to be disappointed, for a variety of reasons.

Worst team? Nah. Top 10ish is where they'd be, if the SOX were in a middle media market. MLB.com needs the clickbait after the lockout. But, I appreciate your concern, "Ceasey."

Yeah, they let 4.9 fWAR walk out the door for free. Meanwhile, they just "had to" hang onto the aging piece that delivered -0.2 fWAR. I also don't see how this team has improved over the one that got curbstomped by Houston. And, until some additions occur, I'm thinking this is a ~Top 10ish team, not a Top 2 team in power ranking.

Firstly, I'm flattered that you're thinking of me, even as you're about to embark on a cruise! Thank you, you really know how to make a guy feel good on a cold day in Chicago. Drive safe, and enjoy your cruise. And yes, you can't convince me, or really, anyone that what RH/KW did was smarter than what Atlanta did. Both teams needed OFers, but only one actually got what they needed. RH trading for Kimbrel was like sending your kid to the corner store for a gallon of milk, but that kid stupidly gets Milkduds instead. And thank you for thinking of me as well. We should all be as pollyanna-ish about everything. You're right, BTW: Everything RH and KW have done has been letter-perfect. In RH we trust, amirite?

1. No, I didn't like the possibility of a Kimbrel trade at the time. And here's "the context" you're missing: Atlanta's OF acquisitions might have "sucked major dick at the time," but they were and are MLB-caliber players. Meanwhile, you want to memory hole the shittiness of AAAA luminaries like Billy Hamilton, Nick Williams, Brian Goodwin, and Jake Lamb. Sorry, but the shitty outcome of adding a closer was painfully predictable at the time. 2. If you don't like the numbers, argue the numbers. The white Sox BP was better than Atlanta's at the TDL, and then they added to it. Who won the WS, and who got curbstomped again in the 1st round, again? Was it the stupid team that added MLB caliber OFers who "sucked major dick," or was it the geniuses who added a closer? 3. And it looks like we're headed to another 1st round exit. They sure as he'll made sure to address the BP with Graveman, but hey, thats all you need, amirite? You made it about JR'S provision of resources. If less-wealthy clubs like Tampa, Oakland, and Milwaukee can compete, it ain't about the resources. Its about the quality of the FO's work.

I know, right? They've just made so much progress from year to year in the post-season. And this years team is ready to roll to that same level of success in the post-season.

Ok, I'm done joking around (for now). I disagree here. When I highlight the myriad fuckups by RH/KW, its because they're so fucking commonplace and blatant. For example: A year ago, we needed OFers. Atlanta needed OFers. We had the 5th most fWAR by RPs @ the TDL, Atlanta had the 12th most fWAR by RPs @ the TDL. Atlanta intelligently went out and addressed their problem by getting OFers. RH looked that the pile of AAAA types in the OF, and traded for a closer. By the way, who won the WS? And in looking at what Atlanta have up for their OFers vs Heuer and Madrigal, who spent more lavishly? That wasn't "a lack of resources," that was a stoopid FO doing stoopid things. And we can recite chapter and verse on that. Hell, if Oakland and Tampa and Milwaukee can compete with a fraction of our resources, then it ain't about JR. Its about how stoopid our FO has been.

Thank you.

Hey, I'm just parroting back things I've read today: We needed that closer depth instead of OFers a year ago with our top OFers on the IL. Now that they're back healthy, we won't need a RFer. Also, Bassitt is the best SP available on the market today, so even if you lose the trade, it'll be OK. And, Kimbrel's a HOFer, so keep him.

I hear you: You will not tolerate anything but praise for this FO. But hey, I'm trying to make your drive down I 95 enjoyable. And, when its Soler instead of Suzuki or Conforto, we can all share a laugh, amirite?

Thank you. Just like you need Kimbrel to backup Hendriks, you need Tepera to backup Graveman. Soler gives you that playoff experience you need, and Mendick is just ready to slot into 2B.

I agree: its totally unfair to criticize RH. That was a good trade.

I agree: at the TDL, when Eloy/Robert/Engel were all on or just coming off the IL, and Eaton was cut, I was told that Kimbrel would solve this problem. Now, with Eloy/Robert/Engel all healthy, why WOULDNT you just double down on Kimbrel? In any case, RH said that they're ready to roll with what they got, but if they add WS Champion Jorge Soler to this team, would you not be pleased?

Well, I was told that this roster desperately needed that closer depth, so who am I to argue? In Rick Hahn we trust, right?

Would RH keeping Kimbrel make it better?

Oh, that reminds me: Kimbrel stays put. After all, he was "the best reliever on the market," and you can't have enough depth .

No, no: his salary is less than Rodon's, so I've been convinced that this is the right move.

Look, it's either that, or RH addresses the desperate shortage at RHH DH, and gives Castellanos 5/$105MM.

I'm now convinced that this will be what Hahn ends up doing: Tepera 2/$10MM Jorge Soler 3/$45MM Trade Vaughn and Sheets for Bassitt Roll with a Leury/Mendick platoon at 2B. Book it.

Yeah, no one wants to pay $16MM for a guy who sucks. Or, at least no one who bothered to do their homework on him.

I'm confident that Rodon, even if he doesn't finish the year, will pitch more IP than Kimbrel. Also, remember that Kimbrel has sucked hard for the past few years, except for the 1st half of 2021.

Ok, I'm game: Given that the entire fucking league already knows that KW/RH are DESPERATE to have Kimbrel fuck off, where's the leverage in negotiations for a trade?