poppysox

If "he's a very poor defender" why would we take him over Vaughn/Sheets?

I know what you are saying... the best front office in baseball IMO.

I agree that I wouldn't have made the deal in the first place. However, I always believe a guy doing this on a full-time basis with knowledgeable staff all around him has got to be better than the fan base. We will see.

True...but I like watching them on MLB.TV and having warm thoughts.

Rick, Ken, and Jerry work so closely that I don't buy saving face enters into the decision. I hated the trade but understood what they were trying to do. The Segura for Kimbrel trade possibility seemed like something possible at the time we resigned him.

I think everyone agrees that Conforto makes sense if we didn't already have Vaughn/Sheets/Engel. Since we only have the resource to pick one high-priced RF or 2B. It's like saying would you prefer seeing Vaughn/Sheets or Garcia play every day.

Our GM could have not picked up his option if he viewed Kimbrel as unmovable for anything other than a bag of balls. It seems reasonable to give a long-serving GM the benefit of the doubt that he knows the market better than anyone posting here.

I agree. Everything I read calls Conforto an above-average bat and passable right fielder. The Sheets/Vaughn/Engel "combo platter" would be considerably better than "above average" IMO. The "combo platter" would give us a similar defense as Jermayne Dye. Not great but I'll take it if we can get a massive upgrade at 2nd and pitching.

I'm saying that a payroll % as a stand-alone piece of data doesn't really tell us anything. What does it mean that clubs like the Yankees and Dodgers have tremendous profits and other clubs make next to nothing? How do we take that info and turn it into something useful for getting an agreement that needs to work for everyone?

Why do you care what % of revenue is player payroll? Some teams pay a higher % of revenue for the rent than others. Some teams have more extensive scouting, FO, pay their mgr. & coaches more than some others, etc. I think the Yanks probably have a lower % of payroll to revenues in spite of the higher total payroll cost. When we look at the WS I have no idea what JR pays the groundcrews, the electric company, the uniform supplier, or the fireworks company. We need to see the individual P&L's for each club to make all these judgments about how cheap the owners are. I am personally bothered most by the huge disparity between the minimum salary and the $40M player.

I would love $100M personally but I don't think you could get $75.

Sheets/Vaughn/Engel combo in RF and Marte at 2B and it isn't close IMO. The question is what do we give up for Marte that doesn't include Vaughn. I might give up Vaughn in a Marte deal and live with Engel/Sheets.

I want nothing to do with expanded playoffs but the best record down idea is kind of intriguing.

I agree especially since parity was the original big need for both sides.

Both players and owners said their biggest concern is parity. Can't have teams tanking and not even trying to win. If every team had to spend a minimum of 75M that would create tons of extra good-paying jobs compared to now. Raising the CBT helps teams like the Yanks further outbid the smaller market teams. Hard to find a way to sell this to a group of small-market owners, however.

I care about left-handed catching Collins until we have a suitable replacement and Sheets is not going to be at AAA. Trades and acquisitions are going to happen in abundance so there is no telling what will happen. Vaughn will be in high demand and might get moved to help us attain a more balanced roster. Also, Burger is blocked so might be used to trade for someone's blocked second baseman.

I am a big fan of Engel having called him a 5 tool player. Sheets and Vaughn are passable IMO and we need to use them someplace. They can't all DH.

Both sides claim to want competitive balance. I am glad to see the owners hold the line on the CBT. Create a minimum amount a team needs to spend...say 75 M. They should give the minimum salary a healthy boost and do what they can to foster a more even playing field. A higher CBT only helps the big market teams while putting more and more distance between the haves and have nots.

I have nothing against Conforto if we are going to spend money on a right fielder. However...Vaughn, Sheets, Grandal, Eloy, Abreu, and Collins can't all be the DH. I've stated earlier that I prefer using Vaughn and Sheets in a platoon with late-inning assistance from Engel. Use the money on other areas of need being pitching, 2nd base, and perhaps a backup catcher if a good defensive catcher can be found.

I think the Sox can like Rodon without wanting to pay him at QO prices. Just depends on what Rodon is worth in the eyes of the league. I'm sure we won't be signing him if the price is 20 per year for 3 years but he might be that guy. If we could sign him for 2 at 16 that's another story.

Yep...and that would annoy me since they already took away Madrigal. However, Marte if available would be a great fit.

I suspect a trade will happen. Marte would be top of the list but probably untouchable. One of the Mets guys is more probable. I think Vaughn & Sheets would put up mega numbers and with Engel filling in after we put away the opposition...the defense isn't half as alarming as some here think. As I've said before on here...Vaughn & Sheets have to play somewhere and unfortunately, we already have the DH covered and then some. I know some will say trade Vaughn & Sheets for something we need but they will come back to haunt us IMO.

Need to know what happens with Kimbrel and perhaps Keuchel before I say we don't have the money. I would prefer to use Sheets, Vaughn, Engel, and Garcia in RF and spend the money at 2nd and pitching. I understand your liking of Conforto but we already have the guys I mentioned and they need to play somewhere.

I think we make a solid effort and have an edge in case of ties.

I would think the 282 still unsigned free agents might be interested along with those players hoping to show their wares in spring training camp in hopes of making a team.