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On the pitching side, I have three major takeaways: We could certainly use one more starter that has at least mid rotation upside more than just an innings eater. Last year we were dead last in innings from our SP group and it’s easy to over index on that, but Smith, Martin, & Burke all pitched around 146 innings last year (including AAA) and should be able to push towards 180 in 2026. Kay is coming off 155 in the NPB and should be able to do the same. Behind them you’ll have Cannon & Devitt as true inning eater types with options. We will also have several bulk-inning relievers in Vasil (101 IP last year), Newcomb (92.2 IP), & Paez (assuming he makes it) on top of Taylor and even Gonzalez depending on usage. Point is that Getz has done a decent job building a group that can absorb innings. For that last rotation spot, we should pursue some ceiling even if it comes with risk. I still think we’re short one high leverage arm. Right now, the only guys I have confidence in are Taylor and Leasure. Berroa might help at some point and maybe Gonzalez with time, but one arm that could knock everyone down a spot would be fantastic. Not sure what free agents are left, but I feel like this is a need that can’t be ignored and one that Getz will ultimately address. The LH reliever group is highly questionable outside of Newcomb and I don’t think he would profile well for high leverage use. One of Gilbert or Eisert is probably fine for a middle relief role, but I think having a high leverage arm from the left side would help the broader bullpen massively. Ky Bush never had big strikeout numbers, but I do wonder if his stuff would play up some in shorter stints. With a ton of other SP options, his quickest path the majors is likely a bullpen role and I could see him helping us at some point this year.

If that were the case, I think the report would've come from Heyman. Reports from an international free agent's own country are usually more accurate than what we get from even the best reporters in the US If Boras was indeed able to leverage the Japanese media in that way and didn't have to use the usual cronies, then more power to him

These things will sort themselves out in Spring Training. I am sure the majority will continue to be bad.

I think most fans are happy it got done despite JR. And yes it'll be better when the Ishbia's take over. 100 % in agreement there. How are you so sure that kind of thing doesnt cross the owners desk in most places ? That's kind of a big leap and assumption. Has there been some kind of poll that says 65 % of owners of sports teams dont get involved in any signing around $40M that I'm not aware of ? If you make statements like that then you have others following it up with their own narrative quoting you and adding things to it like how JR should know how signing Japanese players could positively effect his bottom line. There's not a single poster here or probably in the front office who can accurately assess how much Munetaka Murakami will mean in terms of a dollar amount with regards to attendence or advertising or TV revenue. This is not Ohtani , The Dodgers or Los Angeles we're talking about. If you were an owner wouldnt you want your executives to try to estimate what US or Chicago based Japanese corporations could be likely to advertise with the Sox now that Mune is around? How prepared are the Sox to make a pitch to these businesses to convince them to spend advertising money with the Sox. That signing has a ripple effect that has to be attacked aggressively with a sales force. Are the Sox equipped and have the proper infrastructure in place to bring sponsors and the Japanese culture into the ballpark and to keep it there ? These are relevent business questions that JR should be asking so bringing any owner "up to speed" would seem to be necessary since they have never signed a Japanese superstar before or any Japanese player in 20 years. We must try to see that things are changing for the better. I think many many Sox fans want to believe that but also know that while JR is still in charge it will be a struggle to make significant headway. Does every good thing really have to embrace the undertow of embarrassment or be met with sarcastic skepticism ? Those are unproductive emotions. Just ride the wave and be patient that the Ishbia tsunami waves are coming ( eventually). Dear Pessimist Optimist and Realist, While you were all busy arguing over a glass of water, I drank it. signed, the Opportunist... No matter the situation you are in ,you must take advantages of your opportunities.

He's been brutal this season but honestly.. with our injuries at DB and Al Harris did coach him last year... if he likes him, Bears should claim him.

Yeah maybe you can move Mead to a team looking for a cheap platoon Corner infielder for a PTBNL or something.

So is the "Fire to the 78" thing all but a done deal?

Not sure what’s so difficult to understand about this.

Yep, and Davitt getting protected clearly shows they see value in him. Mead got a lot of playing time down the stretch. I'd imagine they've seen enough there to make a determination on him.

Jerry Reinsdorf likes the cut of your jib.

They did get a couple of other arms with Mead in the Houser deal so that trade wouldn’t be a total waste if they do cut or trade him.

This is true, but you're forgetting Rendon wants to do literally anything else outside of playing baseball. Benny still clearly wants to be on the field.

See Jerry, you really can let historically awful players walk away, even if you owe them money.

And again, who has to explain to an owner in 2025 that Japan has a rabid baseball following, and that signing players from there can lead to revenue gains because of cross marketing opportunities.

I think most teams would be happy with Taylor, Leasure, Wikelman, Vasil out of the pen all making nothing. Newcomb is a nice addition from the left side, though he might start. Gilbert, Eisert, the two rule 5 guys are less than ideal. Bush, Murphy, Schweitzer, perhaps Schultz and Hagen could all potentially shore up the left side of the pen. Wasting money on the bullpen is a fool’s errand if you ask me. Relievers are too volatile.

Feels like a champagne celebration, but to each their own.

If you pass you still have Robert, for whatever that is worth. If the money was most important, they should not have exercised his option.

Maybe because entertaining a trade of Robert isn't about the money? If they didn't want to pay him, they could have just let him walk. They have no better options for CF right now, either in AA/AAA or even on the free agent market. It seems like he's their 2026 CF until he isn't. The Reds are in their competitive window. If they want to piddle around over a post-hype prospect and two TJS dudes, then they can enjoy another first round sweep, if they even make the playoffs again.

“Prospective players clearly are excited about what they see from our young players and what we have coming up and are interested in joining us”

The unbuttoned oxford with the blazer is such a douchebag look and one he shares with Hahn.

To be fair, I'd wait for Getz to utter Hahn's nonsense before attributing it to him. Getz seems to have his own, personal form of gibberish that doesn't exhibit a fondness for just being in the room.

I think this is a direct attempt by Boras to get Cubs to boost their offer

I feel like there is a significant distinction between having a seat at the table and what that article said. If the Sox were just listed in a big group of teams, then yeah it would feel like that. But that article straight up said the Sox are the frontrunners. How true that is I don’t know, but the wording feels different.

Maybe they do actually bring Yo back