poppysox

Some of us wouldn't mind giving that a try. That lineup would be fun to watch.

Soxtalk is an education all in and of itself.

When you need to use 2019 numbers to make the argument it tends to fall on deaf ears. I understand that Hayward was worth $20M per year 3 or 4 years back but his recent performance makes all that ancient history. I agree that the 1-year contract is the way for him to go and "if" he has another 3.5-4.0 fWAR he can regenerate his career. His failure to do that probably indicates that even he has some doubts.

I like your hat idea. Maybe one of those bucket hats the golfers wear.

Just because Boras says a player he represents wants a certain number doesn't make the player worth that amount. There is nothing in Conforto's body of work that makes him a $100M player IMO. It looks like the other GMs agree with Hahn. It won't surprise me a bit if Conforto signs with us within the next few weeks for a more team-friendly deal. A GM puts his team in a better position to win if he doesn't put all his eggs in one player's basket.

"Nearly every single thing breaking your way, like 2005" is necessary for whoever wins the WS...that's why the best team on paper frequently doesn't win the WS.

I don't see people making the argument that Conforto is a bad player. Rather I see the opinion that he is not a $100M player and his best years might already be behind him. I would be somewhat comfortable with the 4 years $75M contract that the WS reportedly offered. However, I do believe Vaughn/Sheets/Engle will produce a better offensive production than Conforto. For sure I want to avoid a Hayward situation where he can't play up to his contract.

The offseason is still a work in progress.

He is saying that the whining is excessive.

Yet another negative post. That is exactly what VA is talking about. We have one of the best teams in baseball and yet only the complainers can talk.

Great Post! I guess we old guys see things in the same light.

A great reminder that things need to go right in a lot of areas to win the WS. Dye was a cast-off with poor defensive credentials that became World Series MVP. Our pitchers performed beyond anyone's expectations. I wonder if Vaughn could be this year's Dye. As the saying goes...that's why they play the games.

All this talk of betting reminds me of having a $10 per game bet on each game of the four-game series with my Twins fan friend. The Twins were a superior team and the bets were even money. The Twins won the first 3 games and thankfully I managed to get a win in game 4 to make my loss for the weekend $20. It was a time in life when that $20 meant something to me. It could just as easily have been a $40 loss that would have affected my dining for the month. Why did I make such a dumb bet...PRIDE. The good news is that $20 has saved me countless dumb bets over the years. Lesson learned...Hold out until the odds favor you.

I agree with this point, Jack. We should never be left holding nothing with a player that can't be extended. The Bryant situation is a failure of Cubs FO to face the fact he wouldn't be extended.

Might be coming any day now. A couple of weeks till the season opener. Time to get excited.

Today it looks like Kimbrel but in another month that can change dramatically. Koch was traded for Foulke while Kimbrel cost us, Madrigal. No comparison.

My thought would be if he is on the team...he will be in 5 or 6 games a week allowing for proper rest.

No doubt that is true. Kimbrel looked like crap today but I guess that doesn't count either.

Francisco Liriano comes to mind. I've had 65 years of being a hard-core fan. If I got so little enjoyment as you do I would find another team.

You don't think Harrison has looked pretty good? I agree he's no Madrigal...but that ship has sailed.

When I see the final makeup of the team and don't like it. The final team might well not be completed well into April. It's not a typical offseason as you know. From the beginning, I favored using Vaughn/Sheets/Engle in RF because they need to play somewhere on a nearly regular basis. I said the bullpen and an SP were the needs I would like to address along with a backup catcher and of course 2nd base. I did hope the 2nd base position would be a bigger upgrade than Harrison but so far he looks to be is better than I thought. When a trade for Kendal is completed the final moves will fall in place. My theory of best use of Vaughn/Sheets isn't necessarily the final solution. As others have said...a trade of Vaughn for an SP and then perhaps a Conforto deal might be best.

I prefer to think like the stock market..."No News Is Good News."

The only thing I've heard is RH with some lawyer speak saying nothing. This FO is very stealthy in its activities. I don't think for a minute they are not working on Kimbrel as an example. Starting pitching is also an area that RH has indicated they were looking into. Simply put...it is not the MO of our FO to share with fans what they are or are not going to do.

I don't disagree but it's not over til the FO tells us it's over.

I must have played a thousand games with that rule in place.