scs787

I mean, 1B, DH, and catchers typically are indeed slow, league wide. I understand the Sox are fairly slow on the corners as well, but does that mean they should go with the "Speedy" Collins/McCann duo over Encarnacion?? Or sacrifice some power and throw an unnamed speedster at DH?

Agreed, but I'm simply stating this pretty pretty much puts the axe in any Madrigal/Vaughn talks for Price talks.

This should help with negotiations for Price.

They should be able to walk and chew bubble gum. For whatever reason, the secondary pitching market Ryu/MadBum/DK is at a stand still it seems. I'm sure they're invested in that, but while they are waiting, they shouldn't ignore other areas of the team.

While I think the McCann/Collins DH platoon could be serviceable, EE could be the Sox Nelson Cruz. Trade Collins++ for a starter and let McCann be Giolitos personal catcher while maybe getting in some games vs LHP.

I believe in this lineup so much that I expect playoffs. If Giolito repeats and Kopech and Cease both live up to their potential, it's a team that contends for a title. This lineup should be tremendous. I truly believe Robert comes up and is Juan Soto-esque in that he makes an immediate impact.

125 is an incredibly reasonable "Line in the sand." Early predictions for Wheeler were what 90m? There were reports that the Twins offered 100m. The Sox went well beyond what was expected and still lost out. It sucks, but I can't be mad at them for not going well over what should have got them Wheeler......A guy who may not even have been all that great in the AL.

Not necessarily. He was a stud last year before injury and was good the years before that. I think they can squeeze 2 more years of TOR type numbers. Hopefully in years 2/3( if not this year) Kopech and/or Cease live up to their potential to where Price is your 4 or 5 starter. Is there a chance it backfires? Absolutely. There's also a chance Wheeler in the AL is nothing more than a middle of the rotation guy that you way overpaid. Same for Ryu/Mad Bum.

If they Twins end up with him, or any of the top 3 left, and the Sox end up with none of em, thennnnn I'll be upset. There was reports the Twins offered Wheeler 100 mill. 25 mill less than the Sox. That's how it should be.

While minimal, his OPS has improved every year.

Also. Would love to add Encarnacion. Guy still mashed last year. Throw Collins in a trade for a SP on top of signing Ryu/Bum/DK.

No, I read what you said, and my point remains. We don't know that the plan is for him to start. Assuming he continues to improve, he helps against RHP in a RH heavy division.

A guy who had an .844 OPS against RHP doesn't really make us better?

What lies?

Let's pretend Engel and Mazara either stay the same or improve vs LH/RHP......Are we not happy with a cobined .840 OPS in RF?

Based off Jose Abreus 159 game splits, the Sox played between 104-107 games against RH starters. That number will vary of course, but you're typically gonna play RHP around 2/3 of the time. Mazara had an .844 OPS vs RHP last year. Between Castellanos and Ozunas 14 seasons, , that .844 number was bested just twice, once by each guy. Neither guy had an OPS over .810 in the other 12 seasons. . I understand you also play LHP, and those guys mash em, but I think I'd rather have the guy who's good 2/3 of the year and bad 1/3 of the year vs a guu whos average 2/3 of the year and really good for 1/3 of the year.

..... I mean dude did have an OPS of .844 vs RHP last year and still pretty young.

Is it more likely? Yes, but I think they need to put themselves in a position to contend if everything goes right. If Robert, Madrigal, Kopech, and Cease are what we hope they are "Right out of the gate" they need to be in position to capitalize.

Get mad JerBear and just go get Cole or Stras..... Or/And get tve most criminally underrated pitcher on the market, Hyun Jin Ryu.

I initially had Dickerson in my post, but decided on just Calhoun. I'd be ok with either. Hoping that 2nd part is sarcasm. In house I'd rather have Leury.

Just gimme Calhoun. Shouldn't cost much which allows you to spend more on pitching, adds another lefty, gives you a gold glove defender to go with Robert to really cover for Eloy, and as a bottom 3rd of the order guy his power potential is gonna look really good. Look to add Mookie next year.

Sooooo, they're at what 75ish mill in payroll now?

With Grandal in, I'd be 100% ok with Calhoun or Dickerson in RF.

Has Lauri and Lavine both had a good game together yet? I feel like every time I check the box score if Lauri has a good game, Lavine doesn't do anything and vise versa. If they can find some consistency together, along with more consistency from Coby, they can still be that playoff team a lot of people thought they could be.

What do you do with him then? Without consistent at bats, is he gonna develop into anything more than what he is now? Do you make him the every day DH? Keep him in AAA to get those ABs? Simply platoon him? Part of me would like to say just make him your everyday DH. If by the time the trade deadline rolls around, he's the player we saw in his short stint with big club then you look to add a DH(assuming the sox are in contention) But then there's another part of me that wants no question marks on the team. I would not be upset if he's traded, but I'm rooting for the guy.