Look at Ray Ray Run

I absolutely understand why they'd sign Edwin, but I'd love to give 130 games to Collins personally. It's risky though.

Think people think that's 160 innings combined over the final 2 years. Which it could be.

Saying wheeler has been as injured as ryu is just wrong.

Gotta wonder wtf the Angels are doing. They have no starters and they gave rendon 250 million instead of paying a single pitcher. Angels and twins fans are pissed.

What are the twins doing?

I think if they spend money next off season itll be on a RF. Or they'd go with a high end sp type.

I'm with you here. I was one who said if he doesnt want to be here you move on - you dont just throw another 20 million at him.

Also tip my cap to Hahn. It's quite obvious his real off-season plan was: Grandal, wheeler, mazara (stop gap RF with ceiling) and Gio - that was about as good of a plan as I could have put together.

Yeah, they left themselves enough money available that they still have another big signing in their back pocket if they need to use it. They have enough questionable but hopeful arm talent (stiever, Lambert, dunning and the young guys) that they can bank on 2 of their prospects reaching ceilings. Giolito can match up vs anyone's 1 right now. Hell maybe the sox get a surprise and reylo puts it together with this little push. The important thing is they now have a realistic hope.

Lastly, the sox have maintained quite a bit of financial flexibility even after these signings this off season.. they've also lined the end of the deals up well with the core getting more expensive. They also left plenty of money to add one more impact player next off season if they see certain players weren't working out.

At this point you can genuinely argue that the sox are banking on a realistic set of outcomes from their top prospects as opposed to betting on them all reaching their top 10% outcomes.

Yeah but this team always needed that to happen. Heck, maybe they get a surprise and stiever is a top line guy. They had a lot of high end stuff talent; keuchel is a really nice change of pace and he knows how to pitch.

After further thought, I think it's more important that this signing was actually available to pitch than it was that he was great when he pitched. Ryu was a nice thought but investing in a starter who doesnt start would have been the worst thing this team could of done. I understand leaning towards Keuchel in the choice between the two given that they already had top of the rotation talents and needed someone that could give them 200 innings.

At this point, what you're hoping for in development becomes enough to propel the team to a level of contention. While they still need things to break well for them, the things they need to break well are realistic expectations for some of the young pieces - as opposed to being top end outcomes. Theyve now put themselves in a position that of Michael kopech is a star... or Dylan cease is a star, they actually can compete at the top. If neither were any good this was always going to be a struggle. I dont love Keuchel but I understand his fit and baseball games finally matter again! To sox fans that are upset and/or disappointed I honestly have no idea what their expectations were. The sox offered the most to wheeler and didnt get him so they got a dependable and reliable starter.

What do the twins do assuming Ryu stays out west?

I dont think 162 is more draining or dangerous thann155.

Hes painful, but he knows what hes doing out there. He doesnt get deep into games - he never really did - and he had shoulder issues last year. Shoulder issues are scary and he came back strong but hes not getting younger. It's funny because Gio was kind of Robbie Ray before Robbie Ray. Ray doesnt get deep into games, walks a ton of guys but k's people. Gio really is effectively wild at this point in his career - he doesnt give you a lot to hit.

Hes 24 years old, he really should be suffering from hamstring tears and strains frequently. I agree with your premise and point, playing through a leg muscle injury is idiotic, but he shouldnt be suffering them with great frequency.

Just saw the quoted posted. 4.8 is next year for Lindor, 5.2 is the year following. And it's just a PA difference really. Rates are about identical. I Appreciate the questions.

I'd have to look at my positional peaks. They are tied to PA and age. So just brainstorming, lindor may be approaching his projected defensive peak. I think tim will continue to get better, so my opinion sides with you, but if his defense gets worse or declines at 28, 29 and 30 that drives his WAR down. I believe my SS defensive peak is 26/27 seasons assuming 4-5 year service time. Defense drops younger than offense. My Lindor difference is simply a games played discrepancy. I have him at 144 games next year and 155 in his age 27 season. I should probably normalize games played to 150 - but I tend to focus on my WAR/600 projections more. His WAR/600 is almost exactly the same both years.

Really nice deal for sure.

But why would Wood, in a season in which he wants to rebuild his value, take a deal to be a back-up with no guaranteed job all year?

I mean, he played 149 two years ago but I get your point. Glad to see this is a focal point of his off-season and I am certainly not going to be one who doubts him when he wants to obtain something.

After seeing his quote about Abreu and wanting to be here for life too, the Sox should pounce on an extension offer tomorrow! lol

Yeah, he said it was from a lack of flexibility and being overly tight.