poppysox

Who is "we?" There is only one of you.☺️

Certainly wouldn't be the worst deal RH ever made.

I don't want to be paying Mazara 6 million for what we have seen, but like you, it won't bother me to see him play when healthy. When we don't pick up his option...he should be available on a 3 million type of deal. His defense was satisfactory and he was coming around with the bat. As you point out...Moncada didn't look so well last year either. Both guys recovering and obviously weakened considerably. If we pour every extra dime into pitching (both starting & relief) that will suit me just fine. There are no right fielders available that strike me as can't miss for moderate money...and Engel seems to contribute whenever he gets a chance to play. Times like now I am glad we don't have Harper. Plenty of money to go get the Bauer's of the World.

Throwing strikes has been a problem for many Sox pitchers. Hope the new guy has an answer to this problem.

I agree with your take on our needs. My belief is that aside from the top people like Bauer...most available players will be signed for 50-65% of the usual norms. Not that many buyers out there. JR won't blow this unique opportunity to grab the brass ring.?

He would be fine for the 5/6/7 slot.

JR is at that point where the time is limited to ready the team for sale. Any team is valued higher when viewed as a winner. I believe JR will go all-in this offseason.

All of us who are old-timers are driven nuts by this unwillingness of today's power-hitter to go the other way.

Lopez, Cease, and Dunning are all guys whom I am hopeful will progress mightily with a new voice whispering in their collective ears.

You said if you had to...you would take a defensive RF in order to afford top pitching. I gave you the name of someone we already have on the team that fits that description.

Engel!

I'm sure it does. That sure is how it looks. Afraid to throw the ball.

Ain't it the truth.

Roberts didn't win the game either.

Alomar and Cora are also in the mix.

Bochy...Farrell...Alomar...Jirschele and others have none of this baggage.

My hope is the new pitching coach gets Lopez to work faster. I hate his slow pace.

Hey Rick....call Bochy. Thanks!

Things are seldom just black or white. Many shades of gray IMO.

I totally agree that neither is going to be our manager next year. However, if I need to pick between these two...It's Tony without any doubt.

Al

I'm big on catchers as well. After all my fandom started with Lopez. That is part of why Bochy has been my #1 choice.

7 or 8 years of managerial experience including a World Series win in 2013. That Boston team went from last to first in 2013 and of course, he won manager of the year. An overall winning record and tough as nail reputation. Good enough to be hired by Dave Dombrowski who gets good managers IMO. Most importantly not a hint of scandal.

Bochy is such an obvious potential choice I can't imagine how little his name is brought up. He and John Farrell should be definitely interviewed if we are serious about a true interview process.

I don't want to wager large sums of money on it....but I hope you are right. TLR & Hinch are way down my list of possibilities.