SoxBlanco

Yeah, that's not a horrible idea, depending on how much money Phili kicks in. What do you think is reasonable if that's the trade?

I can’t see teams trading for Wheeler with that contract unless the asking price is very low.

I didn’t get it either until I looked at his username.

I believe the gap in production between a Joc/Engel platoon and Springer is smaller than the gap in cost. I would love Springer, but I wouldn’t mind a Joc/Engel platoon that gives us a .900 OPS in RF for much less money and also allows us flexibility to go after a top end starter at the trade deadline or next offseason.

Agreed. That’s why I think it’s best to just sign a couple mid-tier starters (Richards, Quintana, Odorizzi, etc.) and then reevaluate where we’re at with Cease, Dunning, and Kopech at the trade deadline or next offseason.

Wow, that’s a crazy ask. I wouldn’t even give up Cease or Dunning straight up for Lynn.

Do you still think there’s a chance the Sox sign McCann?

What kind of deal do you guys think Bauer ultimately gets?

This is exactly where I'm at.

What do you guys think about Kopech, Stiever, and Dalquist for Snell? Would you guys make that trade? Would the Rays?

Did we even know Masur wasn’t returning until now?

I’m starting to think an offseason of Joc, a couple of mid-tier starters (Quintana and Richards, for example), and a reliever (maybe Colome) is a likely outcome. I know most people would consider that a huge disappointment, but I wouldn’t hate it. We would be taking a 35-25 club, replacing EE and Mazara with Vaughn and Joc/Engel, adding some depth to the rotation, and giving Dunning, Cease, and Kopech a chance to develop/compete for a spot in the rotation. Look, I want Bauer or Springer as much as anyone, but if we don’t land one, it won’t be the end of the world like a lot of people here will make it out to be. It would also give us a lot of flexibility to add a starter at the trade deadline or next offseason.

Yeah, I want Vaughn up as quickly as possible. Secure that extra year and get him up. After looking at the Springer vs Joc/Engel platoon stats, we could improve our lineup a lot with minimal spending just by replacing EE with Vaughn and Mazara with Joc/Engel. Then we’d have a lot of flexibility to attack starting pitching either now, at the trade deadline, or next year.

We will be adding at least one, possibly two starting pitchers.

Good catch, and that makes it even better because now the PA’s are almost identical in the comparison. I’ll edit it. I originally had PA for Joc/Engel but AB for Springer accidentally.

Alright, I gave this an attempt using 2019 stats. Here is Springer vs platoon splits of Joc/Engel: Springer: 556 PA, 39 HR, 0.974 OPS, 156 wRC+ Joc/Engel: 553 PA, 38 HR, 0.907 OPS, 135 wRC+

Can someone who is better at finding advanced stats and splits better than I can do a comparison of what we can expect from a Joc/Engel platoon vs what we can expect from Springer for a 162 game season?

Absolutely.

The sad (but awesome) thing is that he's going to win a World Series before any of those three things happen.

Obviously, but this isn't a debate on which approach to go with to maximize your chances. This is a debate that looks back on something that already happened (obviously hypothetical). After the fact, would you rather have 10 playoff appearances and no titles, or 1 playoff appearance and a World Series? I'm taking the World Series.

It's an interesting debate. In the next 10 seasons, which would you rather have? A) 10 playoff appearances and no titles B) 1 playoff appearance that resulted in a World Series Give me the World Series all day.

I agree that very well could have been what happened.

Your overall attitude sucks. But that’s alright, I’ll keep being pleasant. And I’ll listen to the actual insider here who told us that Hahn was given control of hiring the pitching coach since TLR wasn’t his choice. Could that insider be wrong? Sure. But that’s why I said “I think” instead of speaking in absolutes like you.

Cool. Glad you could clear that up for me with your insider knowledge.

Just because Duncan said he wouldn't be joining TLR doesn't mean we would have taken Duncan if he was interested. I think Hahn was given control of hiring the pitching coach, and I don't think it was going to be Duncan even if Duncan wanted it.