poppysox

Find an extension compromise and everybody wins.

It's interesting that coaches are often given credit for the performance of a top tier pitcher or hitter. When I compare that to a touring pro golfer and a run of the mill weekend golfer going to the club pro. Both the touring pro and the average Joe want to lower their respective average score by three shots per round. The club pro would have no trouble helping average Joe improve by three shots. On the other hand...he would probably fail at helping the touring pro improve much if any. Why doesn't the coach or coaches find it easy to help the Engel, Cordell, Tilson, Nova, Lopez, Fulmer and on and on type of player. That's where coaches would show me their worth. Improve the average Joes...the stars are already good. They already know more about hitting & pitching than the coaches ever did. On an up note...Boston has been working with Eloy on his fielding and you can see the improvement. Boston couldn't help Engel nearly as much because Engel is better at it than Boston ever was. I just don't see Cooper & Steverson helping their average Joe's improve very much if at all.

I always like the saying that defense & speed never slump.

I agree with you. A gold glove center fielder with speed has value. Steverson coaching him to hit .250 would show me something about our hitting coach.

The Sale trade has worked out well for everyone. That's what you want in trades for prime players. No reason for anyone to stick it to anyone. You need to realize that without an extension in the next two weeks...the Sox could end up empty handed. That would be malpractice on the part of RH.

Good idea. Seems like a nice player.

Get something that makes us better than we are with Jose and it's a done deal. Very few players are not tradable for the right return.

The Bryant situation is exactly why you need an extension and it's not unreasonable to ask for one. Robert has banked 26+ million and so far has not accepted an extension worth 100+. Let's not make him the primadonna player we have to keep happy or he won't play nice. He hasn't played a major league game. When players accept early extensions it is for life time security in case they injure themselves the next day. Clubs do it to have cost certainty if and when player proves his worth. It's negotiations...nothing personal. The fact that one player has more or less money already in the bank doesn't change what the club side of the negotiation wants. The player with lots of money in the bank might be less motivated but that doesn't get him to Chicago. Compromise gets both sides what they want.

Can't beat Yolmer for keeping it playful.

As stated before...reasonable people should get this accommodation deal done. Both sides desire Robert be in Chicago ASAP.

I agree with you...we contend next year.

There is a number that should get it done. The player and team both want Robert to be in Chicago. I suspect we will be seeing Robert & Madrigal in a few weeks. There is a number that would get it done...just need to fine it.

The offers will dictate who is traded out of Bummer & Colome. Anyone can be traded but good pieces don't get traded other than in good return deals. Abreu is another situation. We either extend him or trade him in the next two weeks. If you don't extend or trade Abreu you end up with nothing after the season. I certainly don't think the FO is giving Jose a qualifying offer.

If he wasn't...I have really had it with the FO.

Sign an extension and come join us in Chicago.

Inevitable.

Charlie is a 25th kind of guy. Just as well he works on his game in Charlotte.

I like your analysis. Puts things in perspective.

Keep McCann and make an attempt to get Grandal. Two good catchers is better than one.

I would feel better if they were losing on purpose. They really are playing this bad.

Cooper needs a promotion out of this job.

We all know how that ended.

The FO has no incentive to bring him up until next May.

It's a no brainer. He signs an extension and comes up now or we see him next May.

Girardi would be my choice.