Rounding_Third

Don't think this will happen. Payroll already too high. Sitting at ~$131m and they've hinted at ~$140m max. And they should spend a few mil more on DH & C. Doubt if they go past low $140's and that's a stretch. Personally, can't stand Bauer. Not enough clubhouse walls for all the mirrors he needs. Another Brice Harper. Hendriks at the opposite end of that spectrum; added bonus with his signing.

Though I like Walker as a FA, the payroll says its best for a trade. If its Musgrove then yeah, you trade Kelley. Agree that Pitt wouldn't want the others you mentioned, either. With due respect to Kelley; no guarantees. Musgrove is through all the finger crossing. Also, if target would be Castillo, virtually same 2021 salary, 1 more year of team control over Musgrove and a step up in quality, they should consider Vaughn if that's what it would take. They probably wouldn't though. Probably other similar candidates around the league.

You had previously posted in his thread that Williams was our DH. Not going to quote it, it doesn't matter not you opinion now, its just why I had referenced him. Yermin? Oh man, idk! I like him and Collins in Charlotte as 3rd string C options but DH? RH, 1 career MLB AB, he misses everything for me and an unnecessary risk. Besides, we need vets at LH (a must) DH & backup C; challenging positions best handled by vets. Also given the team youth, they provide leadership ala Keuchel last year. 1 year deals; max 2 if required (i.e. La Stella but not likely now). If that's the Sox idea, too, hope it is, then figure out the best fits and get em ASAP! Don't stop being aggressive! When the signings start, they may go quickly.

Hope that's true and they're still sitting around $131m. I have to respectfully disagree about Williams. His hard fall from year1 both statistically and lack of interest, with no injury history, signals at least one major flaw exposed; probably more, I.E. sucker for changeup in the dirt; fastball up & in, etc. High K-rate good indicator, too. Pretty awful defensively too. If still at $131, they could still sign Walker, if they crept up to low $140's, I think they possibly could still get DH & C combined for <=$5m. Say, Asdrubal Cabrera & Avila, maybe $4m combined. AC brings the same great versatility as La Stella at < 1/3 the cost. Still good SH from both sides and good power from LH. You know I like Murphy but if we're pinching pennies, he and Moreland might be a bit more and don't offer the defensive versatility. The key is the 4th SP, if a trade isn't possible, then Walker should be #1 FA target. He blows away Richards for potential, both having TJ but Richards also has a loooong arm injury history back to '16. Walker is a year further along from the surgery and is also a year further along than Kluber, pitching the 53 innings last year (said 60 before). Seems like a no brainer as to who is the best choice among the 3.

You had said earlier today, separately, about $13m payroll and 4th pitcher mostly likely from trade; a great point. Did the 2 arb deals today increase that # to $137m? How can the Sox find a way to sign this guy? ...and another 5/6m for DH & C. You think they would consider breaking through that $140m magic # that's been suggested by "insiders"? They'd have to approach $150m to get them all.

Seriously, Sox fans, did some looking and we are getting a couple of really cool bein's! Big time community folks! Oakland lost a lot more than an athlete and entrepreneur. Sure hope they decide to move here.

Yeah, signing prediction/expectations vs actuals among pundits are all over the place. This guy seems like the real deal. With TJ in the rear view mirror, those 60 impressive innings could easily get ~150 for 2021; not unreasonable. 2/$15m in a heartbeat, hell, at his age, I'd even take a flyer for 3/4 years at $25/30m. Given that security, he might be interested. Maybe a little risky for Sox but what a steal if he's one of the TJ success stories.

Too bad we didn't sign him before the holidays! lol

Yeah, really cool stuff! Love the shirt she's wearing, too. Great message, with a little baseball reference.

Arguably, you could add Lynn to the total even though it was a trade. I'm still holding out for a little "filling of the corners" as hobbits like to say, with some low cost, decent ceiling signings.

To the lovely Mrs Hendriks, Kristi, no problem with Sox uni's, all colors are beautiful in black & white!

Wow! Sorry Liam but I think I may have praised the wrong Hendriks, check this out! Pretty friggin cool! https://forthefieldapparel.com/about/

A bouquet of Tylers?

I think we've mostly accepted that fact that the pursuit of higher end FA's is over, given the current Sox payroll.

Another interesting candidate is Asdrubal Cabrera. A switch hitter who hits equally well from both sides. Provides more power as LH. Can play all 4 IF positions. ~$2m?

didnt want him to get the wrong impression. lol So fucking cool he's our closer!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Mr Hendriks is not only a fine human being, but handsome, intelligent, and classy, as well. I am immensely proud that he is now a valuable member of our beloved community and look forward to his immense skills and profound savvy as the finest reliever in the history of baseball.

Cost/reward could be through the roof. A hitter like that could have another good one in him.

If they don't go after La Stella, how much do you think Daniel Murphy would cost? <$5m?

Except at catcher, I'd prefer righty C, believe its best to give Grandal off days against LHP since his bat is vital against RHP. That being said, would love Avila for his still great D.

Along with Flowers, also Avila, Romine, & Wieters lead a long list. If Collins had showed something, maybe, but his entire game was really bad. He's better than that. He needs to work it out and won't sitting on the bench for most of the season.

With a shoutout to CaliSoxFan, Taijaun Walker looks pretty good; $9-10m?

I just can't see the Sox coming this far in 5 years for this moment and not fill such a critical role with an established LH bat. Even if they go low cost, there's still a lot to choose from.

Thx a lot! I was looking at Spotrac which appears to be terribly inaccurate. Also just looked at Baseball-Reference. Even they have it at $115m which includes Eaton and Lynn but not Hendriks.

I'm looking at a site that says current Sox payroll is sitting at $121m. Is that roughly the right number? I don't fully understand MLB's true cap number calc.