poppysox

I have said repeatedly that I expected the WS to be open to spending $160 and still think that. I don't expect them to pass up a bargain like Mazara in order to spend money. We still have four high quality pitchers to acquire at a minimum. We will see what the final number turns out to be.

I'm fine with the trade as I've had a chance to familiarize myself with Mazara. He came from out of the blue and took us all by surprise but he has a good chance to fit really nicely. We are appreciably stronger in Center, RF, 2nd, DH and Catcher. 2020 WS are going to flourish or fail bases on building up the pitching staff.

Grow or trade for the stars while using free agency to plug your holes. Now we need to fine two competent starters and two reliable pen pieces.

The move looks to be OK but everyone is bummed that the signing isn't a name player. He might prove to be a real sleeper.

Biting the hand that feeds you never looks attractive.

I didn't get on the internet all day between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. Very proud of myself to have such restraint. Log on ready to devour details of the one or two deals sure to have happened. Wow...tomorrow is really going to be a busy day.?

I'm hoping for both. I have always thought that free agency should be used to plug holes with solid/proven players. Stars need to come from in house development and trades. The cost of free agent stars is just debilitating to a team. Get two starters the caliber we're talking about...a couple competent relivers and a Pederson type right fielder...that is a very good team. That team has power, obp, speed, defense and a competent pitching staff. Very good chance to win the division and get better as Robert & Madrigal improve with some ML experience and Kopech, Cease and Dunning regain their sea legs.

I think this is 100% correct. Madrigal, Robert, Vaughn, Gio and Kopech are untouchable IMO.

We've been out bid on one pitcher (Wheeler) and had the best offer. Let's not start panicking into trading our future. The top of our rotation is fine with Gio, Kopech and possibly Cease once everyone is up to speed. Lopez coupled with Ryu and Keuchel would be a terrific upgrade over last years mess of a staff. 2020 would have improvements in center, rf, catcher, dh, 2nd, starting staff and hopefully the pen. We compete for the division without anything risky being done.

Ryu and Kuechel would firm up the staff substantially. I know its not Wheeler and Scherzer but in all honesty those contracts border on insane.

Not buying that it's smart to lose Madrigal and move Moncada back to 2nd where frankly he didn't look very good. Part of his good year was playing a position he felt natural in.

Lucky they did walk away. Bummer is now a hot commodity.

Let's lock down two starters and two relievers and a right fielder and not worry about a third baseman which we already have one of the best.

Younger and better.

In the example we were discussing... that's Price.

With all the heat surrounding the WS...I would think 2 deals by Thursday is a lead pipe cinch.

There are exceptions to everything but Madrigal is 99% untouchable.

It could be Fuller instead of Vaughn. You can't fill in the prospect until we would see the financial aspects of the deal. I am not recommending we trade Vaughn. I have posted my opposition to trading for Betts and his one year of control. Somehow if Boston wants to get rid of their high priced pitcher and Betts their are ways to make it happen. For the record...I'm against trading any of our top tier prospects but I acknowledge their are deals that could change my mind I guess.

No resting against this lineup. Opposing pitcher can be on cruise control then the roof caves in.

Agreed. Just saying that some form of salary relief for Price & Betts might justify a Vaughn type return. Depends how much money comes with them.

Thor was 10-8 with era of 4.30 in the NL. Good but not unworldly. Did start 31 games which I like. I would like him OK but wouldn't consider Madrigal or Vaughn in the return package.

With Price the issue would be salary relief not requiring Vaughn type value. I do think a deal for Price has potential. He's still good...just not 31million per year good. Now if the deal is Price and Betts like some suggest then Vaughn might be going. It would take something wild to entice RH off of Vaughn IMO.

I don't buy the Ozuna to DH stuff. Costilano is the better hitter with a worse glove.

Like you...my first choice would have been Joc Pederson. Irrationally I don't want to give up anything to get him. I value defense more than some I guess. A noodle arm in RF scares me. All that said...I too am warming to the concept of Ozuna. Our lineup with Ozuna looks menacing.

Yes...but we are not done yet.