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It's pretty clear from today's negotiation that the owners are negotiating in bad faith and have always planned on doing as such.

Alright, I'm going to bump this thread in hopes of a CBA being agreed to in the next week. From my perspective, I think the Sox will have five priorities heading into part two of the offseason: Add a left-handed power bat, preferably one that can play a solid RF Acquire a #3 type SP via trade, likely on a one-year deal to limit cost Sign or trade for a cheap 2B, possibly one who can platoon with Leury Trade Kimbrel for salary relief and major league depth / role players Sign a decent reliever to fill-in behind Hendriks, Bummer, & Graveman With those focus areas identified, here's how I could see Hahn addressing them. As I've stated numerous times, Michael Conforto is a perfect fit for this roster as he's elite against RHP (our biggest weakness on the positional side) and is more or less average in RF (a massive upgrade from Vaugh / Sheets though). He should without question be the number one priority when a CBA is agreed to and I truly believe he ends up on the South Side. To round out the lineup, I'd go ahead and sign Brad Miller to a cheap deal to be the strong side of a 2B platoon with Leury. Miller posted a 123 wRC+ against righties last year and has been solid at 2B from an advanced metrics perspective. Combine him and Leury and I think you can easily get two wins out of the position for dirt cheap. From there, the focus turns to the rotation. The challenge addressing this need is twofold. First, free agency is running out of quality options. The only two guys I'd argue are #3 starters or better are Kershaw & Rodon. Both have serious health concerns and we already passed on the opportunity to lock Carlos in via a QO. As such, that pretty much forces us to go the trade route unless we're willing to bank on a guy whose stuff continues to regress each year (Keuchel) and a guy who will be on an innings limit (Kopech) to cover 40% of our rotational needs. The problem here is we have the worst farm system in baseball. I'd love to go out and acquire Sonny Gray, but we don't have the pieces to get such a deal done unless we absorb a bad contract (say Moustakas) or are willing to give up Vaughn. That basically leaves guys who are on one year deals with rebuilding clubs. The A's have a couple of these guys and I really think Bassitt could be had for a package built around Burger & Dalquist. Finally, the Craig Kimbrel situation has to be addressed. I supported the trade at the time, but it was an unmitigated disaster in hindsight. However, the reality is we need to move on (we simply can't afford both him & Hendriks) and recoup whatever value we can, even though it will certainly be less than what we gave up. I still see the Phillies as the likely landing spot here. In terms of return, I'd expect us to get a couple of major league role players. The main piece I could see happening is Rafael Marchan, a 23 year old, defensive oriented switch-hitting catcher who can immediately challenge Collins for the backup spot behind Grandal. A second piece that seems possible is Jose Alvarado, a 26 year old, left-handed reliever with big stuff but who has struggled with control the past couple years. He's definitely a project but one worth seeing if a change of scenery with Katz can unlock his 2018 form (2.27 FIP | 2.1 fWAR). I know many here would be disappointed with that return while others will think it's unrealistic, but it feels about right to me given the Phillies' desperate need for a closer. Regardless, moving Kimbrel requires us to add a reliever IMO and I think bringing back Tepera makes the most sense. His age and lack of track record should keep the price reasonable and he showed some serious stones in game 3 against the Astros. Make these moves and I think we've got as strong of a roster as any team in baseball.

These guys are a complete fucking joke.

Which is funny because Bryant is the ultimate professional on the field and the other two have had some dirty/unprofessional moments

Best team fit since Yaz. No fucking brainer, really. Fully expect it to happen.

I like this. Here are my tweaks: Sign Michael Conforto Sign Ryan Tepera Trade Craig Kimbrel to Philly for Marchan and Alvarado Trade Gavin Sheets plus, plus to Oakland for Sean Manaea and Tony Kemp.

Same. Conforto >> Castellanos for what the Sox need IMO.

Has Bryant been mentioned at all? Conforto is my #1 personally.

Today was irrefutable evidence that ownership is not serious about finding a deal. Two days before their deadline and they are still throwing out non-starters? How do the players even take them seriously at this juncture?

More owner bullshit hardline power play crap.

I want Kris Bryant because my wife would watch every single game with me if he is on our team.

One thing Bryant has going for him is his position versatility. When Moncada goes down, you can put him at 3B. He can even play CF when Robert gets hurt., and Engel is rehabbing. Not ideal but it won't kill you if it's for a couple of weeks. The other thing he could probably do is turn some Cubs fans in to Sox fans. Conforto probably is the better fit, especially in the most important category, economics.

When would Sheets ever play on a roster with Conforto in RF though?

Conforto is the better hitter against RHP and that’s our biggest weakness. He’s also a better defensive RF. Given the expected costs, give me Conforto hands down.

A draft lottery is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound.

I'll go Bryant to the Mariners, Suzuki to SF, Schwarber to Phillies, Castellanos to WS and Conforto to the Rangers.

No, it’s an accurate assessment.

Huff was famous in HS. Vandy recruits usually are. He transfered to GT and I think this is his 4th year and it looks like he's finally starting to figure it out. I'm not sure 4th year guys will be in the mix for 1-26 but he may be a good option in round 2-4. Another good one to follow.

Baseball has to show their product to the entire country. They could grow the interest in the game many different ways but instead they still try to make me pay to watch spring training and block tweets with homemade videos of highlights

Not gonna lie. I'd watch the train wreck that is front offices playing baseball with their owners. It would be the worst and best at the same time.

Or really has no respect for himself, seeing as he has said he would basically work for free to play baseball, and someone like Leury Garcia is incredibly lucky to be making what he is making, like the owners are doing him this gigantic favor, yet doesn’t mention the years spent by a player to work on his craft, be able to play multiple positions at the highest level in the sport, etc. To PoppySox, these asshole players should be thanking their lucky stars anyone will pay them! Because after all, when I pay money to go to the ballpark, I’m paying to see Jerry Reinsdorf play against Tom Ricketts, why would I want to see the players?!?

Fair enough, but it would be one I'd be pretty willing to let someone else sit on. Obviously giving the Russians a staging point that near to Kyiv is not good though.

Would you leave your current job for a 50-75% pay cut...to move halfway around the world, leave your family behind and likely be unable to speak the local language as well?

And good riddance!!!!

MLB needs to penalize any team whose announcers sing the Nationwide Jingle.....The Madness needs to end before it begins again.....and Yes I will die on that hill.