Rounding_Third

I do too, sort of. I liked him more until I saw his innings and pitch counts. I realize that in the NL its harder to stay in the game with PH. But in 2019, with Grandal, in 27 starts, he averaged ~17 pitcher per inning. He also only average ~4.8 innings per start which includes some early exits though. For the most part, he still pitched well, just took him a long time to do it. That said, I would still not be all that upset if he were on our staff.

Vaughn and Kopech should be treated as luxuries and not dependents. Rushing & pressuring them has a degree of failure attached to it; not just affecting the season and org but them as well. If they're to be key pieces for this year's success, failure (typical rookie struggling/adjusting) is not an option and its not fair to them. I would really like to see Vaughn get seasoned in the minors for a year and Kopech used as a long reliever/spot starter. His innings and outings can be managed so much easier while still presenting plenty of opportunity for important contributions. He could still get himself enough starts with makeup DH's and the occasional skip by the other SP's. Could plan some 5/4 innings with Cease/Kopech, too. So many ways to creatively & effectively control his pitch counts.

I like Grandal a lot but think his signing was unnecessary and, yes, I thought so then. If they had extended McCann after 2019 at 4yr$32m they would have saved $10m AAV for future spending, er, I mean in the bank. Think of the interest JR could have earned!

agreed agreed agreed - Toronto & Mets coming on, Houston & Oakland still formidable. BoSOx making noise. With one other exception, relying on Zack Collins is an F. Those stats (O & D) the last 2 years for a BUC couldn't be worse for a major league C. He's got the talent, has to figure it out in the minors and get back up ASAP.

They have allowed young players to play and develop; some have developed, some have not. Those that have not should not be counted on to contribute to a championship. They need further development in the minors. The catch-22 problem with Kopech is that the better he is, the more likely he is shut down in late summer. Then what? If he experiences issues, he gets shut down. Then what? Combine that with a TOR regression or injury. Then what? If Grandal has a problem and misses games, then what? If Abreu has a problem and misses games, then what? Kopech should be treated as an added luxury, not a dependent. Have you counted the then whats? Do you want more?

Yeah, we know. For me, its all about the lie that this year would be different. But I guess that's really old news too. They made a special effort to convince us this time. Somehow, I fell for it again.

Not at all! Their plan is to be reactionary, if needed. Not to say "we're the king of the hill, come knock us off". This is a very good team but with several depth flaws. If those flaws get exposed by regression, injuries, covid, etc, their current plan is to have unproven or flawed-proven young players come to the rescue. And, at the same time, keep the promised spending in the bank while others keep building. They call this "all in".

Yeah, I think the fact that, as of this moment, the division is weaker than they originally expected has changed their spending expectations. So now just coast into playoffs, get the added revenue of a couple of home playoff games, then fingers crossed for more easy money.

Have you looked there recently? Those new arb#'s are accounted for and factored in the total. Now just 5 pre arb dudes estimated at $9m. I est about $3.5m for them leaving $5.5m overstated. Make sense or did I miss something?

Oh I see, thx Still, I believe that $130 at RR is overstated by $5m.

& Bmags, I think the payroll is ~$125m right now but points well taken. Spotroc doesn't include all the pre arb contracts in its total. Roster resource has it at $130.5m but over-estimates the pre arb contracts by ~ $5.5m.

Its the lie that this year's spending would be different is what's drawing the anger. We shouldn't have trusted & believed him again. We're mad at ourselves for doing so and lashing out.

Okay thanks! A little shadowy but, if true, Mazara probably didn't want it to be known. Though its still pretty odd that he only missed a week when quarantine was 14 days.

Agreed!

Why do you think Mazara had covid? No indication that's true.

Not really, only 9 games and 6 starts in 4 seasons. Cabrera's play it before though not since 2018 but he did play it 75 times combined 2017 & 2018. Really like that he's a SH and nice OPS from left side. More versatility.

and nothing against Madrigal, really like him, but La Stella would have given flexibility to possible Madrigal trade for SP.

Why not Asdrubal Cabrera instead?

I saw him as primary DH against RHP (usually > 70% of games) and utility as 2nd role.

I was in his camp but one of many who's 1st reaction was "3 yrs - no way for Sox". After I slept on it, "why not"? Would have been very happy with 3 year stability with him.

He would have given the Sox 2 needed rolls, LH DH & 2nd Util IF with just 1 roster spot.

Hector, is that you? Don't know just having fun.

4) Yomiuri Giants

If the Sox chose the Miller mold, Asdrubal Cabrera would be a better choice for roughly the same $; maybe a hair more.

Yeah, perhaps not. I thought I had read about mutual interest a few weeks back but looked again and it was just an opinion that they should. It will be interesting to see just how many NL teams will show it if NL DH happens. Maybe not that many, given NL contender spending already high.