SoxBlanco

I agree that the situation could work itself out, but once Vaughn is up, he's going to be playing every day. He won't get called up to just get spot starts.

That’s my exact thought as well.

You know who else is red for 11 of 13 categories? Musgrove. And he won't cost nearly what those other guys would cost in a trade.

I was thinking the same thing. And he actually used the word “minimum”, making it sound like it could possibly be more than $18M per year!

I don't think anybody is questioning his info. He definitely has sources, and I appreciate when he shares information. I just don't understand why he was trying to discredit Beef/Portillos by saying they would have leaked the Hendriks signing sooner if they were true insiders. Those food accounts might not have had the signing yet, or they might have had it and chose not to leak it just like Harold. Either way, it doesn't mean they don't have sources. It seems pretty obvious they have connections somewhere, even if it's secondhand.

I’m with you. And with Kopech joining us later, we have a built in security blanket if Kluber isn’t healthy.

Actually, you are. But you didn’t answer my question.

Why didn’t you break the news here when you heard it?

I want it to be Vaughn as soon as possible. I wish I could read about some Vaughn/Crochet match ups from Schaumburg. Those would be fun to see.

That's exactly the question I have been wondering. I really don't know. It's actually a pretty good package without including Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet.

I'd like to know more about Hendrik's blown saves. If he comes in to the game in the 8th inning of a 1 run game with guys on base and gives up a run, that's a blown save. I have no idea if that was the case for any of his 8 blown saves, but it's something worth checking out if you are going to compare Colome and Hendriks that way.

I think I'd be willing to give up Kelley, Madrigal, and Heuer for a starting pitcher. You guys have any idea who we could land with a package like that?

But if we pick up the 4th year option, there's no way you can call that $18M AAV.

Is it basically an AAV of either $18M or $13.5, depending on whether the option is picked up? Is that how AAV is calculated in a deal like this?

Good call, buddy. (And I when I say "buddy", I do mean it in a condescending, Look at Ray Ray Run type of way)

Sign me up. He had a 0.00 ERA last year. I can't imagine too many pitchers were better than that. Although the 9.0 BB/9 were a little high, so hopefully he can fix those control issues.

You seem annoyed. Does it bother you that some people believe Beef might actually have sources?

I don’t recall any Beef tweets saying that a deal was coming soon.

That’s exactly why I’m not as mad about the Tatis deal as most. Did we get burned? Yep. Does it sting? Big time. But it’s almost just bad luck as much as anything.

Come on Merk...you can’t even count to four? You’re better than that. Edit: Maybe he read it quickly and thought “Hand” said “and”. If so, he’s forgiven.

I think he does have connections. Wasn’t he the guy who called the Lynn trade shortly before it happened?

Will your plan better prepare him to be a starter in 2021? I don't think so. If he's only going to pitch about 100 innings this year, why not let him do it against major league hitters with our best coaches there to help him?

Exactly. This is why I keep asking what specific plan is preferred.

This seems to be the point that people are missing. I don't understand what specific plan is preferred. Do you guys want him to start in the minors and then just get shut down in the middle of the season? @southsider2k5, @Harold's Leg Lift, @Jack Parkman, @Balta1701

You can coach him to not be a thrower while he's on the major league team. In fact, I prefer him working with the big league coaches at this point. You're not wrong that he won't get starting experience in 2021 with this plan, but with your plan, he won't be getting experience facing major league hitters. Like ptatc said, both options have advantages and disadvantages. I'd much rather him be learning to get major league hitters out while working with our best coaches. You're acting like it's a completely greedy decision based only on helping the team win right now, and I don't think that's true at all.