poppysox

This would be excellent.

I agree with you that our big need is two starters and two relievers. Obviously we all want those 4 pitchers to be the best we can get our hands on. If they are only average plus...that will be a massive upgrade over last year. We had 72 wins last year with upgrades in Center, Right, Catcher, DH, 2nd Base and both Starting and Relief pitching. After we see who those pitchers are we will be better able to judge the win total. I would guess somewhere between 85 & 90.

I've already said I have no problem with Mendick...just think Sanchez will get heavy consideration once he finds the 6M isn't available elsewhere.

Who said anything about love. Just making a prediction.

We shall see.

If we hold the opposition to 4 runs or less we will be in most games with our offense.

I still think Sanchez will be back for 4 M. Mendick is fine but a GG bench is not without merit.

T This is where I thought we would be. Compete for the Division in 2020 and shoot for the moon in 2021. We will do it but it's frustratingly slow. Still need two serviceable starters and two good relievers.

Cole will face the same future as Price & Sale. It will be just wonderful for 3 or 4 years then the bottom falls out. I also don't care about Jerry's money but pissing it away won't make the club better.

Good Points.

It is normal for deals to come together in the few weeks following the winter meetings. Teams like Boston propose something the WS hadn't been thinking about and free agents learn that teams are not beating down their door.

Rick is probably waiting for Ryu & Keuchel to figure out they are not going to cash in big just because the top 3 guys did. A watched pot never boils...have a little patience and Rick will get er done.

I agree...it's all about the pitching.

It is a shame that people who are all fans of the same team so often get involved in rather nasty dialogue.

I have used 16 M as how I would value him but I realize it is subjective. Like you...I see no reason to help Boston out unless there is some reason to do so. Ryu and Kuechel are probably more reliable at the same money as Price. We need money or players to equalize the deal.

Probably a #3 starter at a #1 price tag. If Boston wants salary relief they need to except the fact the pot needs to be sweetened by them. Their pitcher is overvalued by approximately 50M.

Somewhere between those two extremes is probably where a good GM needs to land.

I thought that was determined he would need some Charlotte time to find himself.

100% Correct!

In my opinion the WS have not stood pat. Opening day has Grandal & Mazara and a few weeks later Robert, Madrigal and at ASB or sooner Dunning, Kopech and Rodon perhaps. If no other changes occurred I think we would be looking at roughly 84 or so wins. Two #3-5 starters and two good not great relievers push that number of wins to 90. I admit this isn't the sexy offseason we all hoped for but we're in pretty good shape even without landing a whale.

Makes me mad if RH didn't hang up the phone.

This doesn't sound like you Orlando. Please...don't go over to the dark side.

Price is being paid 32 M for the next 3 years. If RH & KW think his actual value is 16 M per year...Boston needs to ship 48 M in either $ or players. Doesn't seem all that hard to find a way. Actually both sides should be motivated. Sale on the other hand has a brand new extension. I presume that extension has some type of no trade clause. That probably would hinder him coming in this direction.

Our 2nd baseman is not married.

Not at all necessary. This is about us getting pitching and Boston shedding high cost of pitching. Take away half the dollars the Price & Sale are using up...done deal.