poppysox

It was a good play...I wonder if Conforto would have made it.

Stranger things have happened. The baseball Gods work in mysterious ways.

I had a similar experience when watching Hunter Pence III play for the Corpus Christi Hooks. You wouldn't need to ask a professional scout if he was any good. Talent in some players is obvious.

More like hallucinating.?

I'm an Engel fan but if that's what it takes to get out from under the Kimbrel deal...I'm in. The money that is tied up in Kimbrel has impeded the other needed acquisitions IMO.

I agree. The "eye test" gets scorned on Soxtalk but I prefer it to any other method of evaluation.

Interesting you say that about overmanaging. When he was here the first time that was my biggest gripe with him. So much so that I was glad to see him go. My impression last year was that he curbed that trait quite a bit.

Would not surprise me in the least.

I didn't tell you what to do...I said they have more data than we have. You are welcome to think you are more capable than RH. Lots of people enjoy daydreaming about what they would do if named GM.

He undoubtedly turned down the QO and the supposed WS offer on Boras's advice. Boras is good but people need to do what is best for themselves. I always admired Chris Sale for taking the early money and locking in the good life for his family. Remember..."Pigs get fat but hogs go to slaughter."

I know. The remark wasn't aimed at you. Just a reminder that the first offer might be the best offer. Sometimes everyone thinks there is even more right around the corner.

Sometimes we act like $75M isn't a lot of money.

Sometimes Boras can overplay his hand. For the agent, it is no big deal but for the player...sometimes life-changing.

Projected fWAR discussions are a little too esoteric for me but I get the gist of your points. We have a top 5 team and some here feel the money available could and should be spent in a better way. I think once Kimbrel is gone and we see the return we will have a better idea of the whole plan. Kimbrel could net an upgraded 2nd baseman or SP. He might be used along with a Burger-type piece to acquire a sexy outfielder and backup catcher. Once he moves Kimbrel will he come back on Conforto? The next two weeks will be interesting as RH shows his cards. Until then...I hope he knows more about Kimbrel's value than I do. I would have just dropped the option and skipped right to the spend my money phase.

Balta...this sounds negative to me even though I am sure that wasn't your intent.

I can't disagree with the point you are making but the off-season isn't over yet. Some of those NO's will be YES's shortly I hope. You know the old saying..." a watched pot never boils"

Well, that would be fine if the FO has other plans. My plan is not to have $16M tied up in Kimbrel. Burger may well be used to acquire an SP. Adolfo may or may not have worn out his welcome. My feeling is that Burger will be traded or used at the ML level. That's why they are called opinions.

Burger, Adolfo, and whoever we get for Kimbrel. If Adolfo isn't on the roster we lose him in all probability. Burger has several ways to be useful as well. Kimbrel makes too much money for us to have a knot in the stomach whenever he is on the mound IMO.

I agree with your SP want but the Kimbrel unload is my #1 concern as of now. We have real potential contributors who could use his spot on the roster.

You are nothing if not predictable Ron.

What has Bernie ever "fixed"?

Obviously good at what he does...but not my cup of tea.

I believe you have achieved another sarcasm.

Most people on this site have the intelligence and love of the sport to be the GM of the WS. Most of us follow the team on a daily basis and have a fair degree of baseball knowledge. What we don't have is 30 years in the FO experience of the business of baseball. We also don't come close to having the data they have that drives their decisions. I'm content to let RH and the FO figure out all the player acquisitions and payroll constraints.

I know that would seem to make the most sense at face value. My memory of how bad Moncada looked at 2nd the first time is what makes me nervous about it. As always, I trust the manager and coaches to figure it out.