GreenSox

Will Colome be better than David Robertson? For Robertson, the Sox got a player at the bottom of the top 100 plus Rule 5 throw-wins and that's with adding Kahnle (having a terrific year) and Frazier. And then look at what Seattle had to trade to get him (and Spann). Not that much.

Kelenic and Dunn are top 50-100 prospects; does "excellent" really overstate that? Kimbrel went for 2 25-50 prospects; he had a far greater track record of dominance. Doesn't seem that out of whack to me. On a side note, the Padres GM did a nice bit of arbitrage with Kimbrel and has done a good job of undoing the bad moves he made in his first year. I don't know whether he can build a team, but he can acquire prospects.

It looks like they got the Cano money down to reasonable levels. But I certainly would trade 2 excellent prospects for the "proven closer." I didn't like trading Narvaez for a "proven closer"

Indians are playing this smart. They have the best team in the division by 15 games. They have the best young core in the division by a mile. But they aren't good enough to win the league. So while the rest of the division is horrid, they take the opportunity to retool; and they'll still win the division with 85-90 wins, while setting themselves up for the future.

What have they gotten for them? Rutherford is about it. And it required 2 really good relievers and Frazier. The rest brought in a bunch of nothing.

This looks like a trade of Diaz for prospects and Cano for salary relief. They are getting good prospects for Diaz.Can't compare to Chapman trade - that's a July trade for a team looking to win a WS - prices are at a premium. As it is, Ms are getting ascending prospects who haven't rotted on the vine. I certainly wouldn't trade Madrigal and, say, Basabe (an ascending prospect) for Diaz. Diaz had gargantuan K totals and a great one-year WHIP...but high K totals are more and more common; not 15 high but mediocre pitchers are hitting >10Ks/9 these days. I think the Cano part of the deal is okay for the Mets - they'll get a good 2/3 years out of him and aren't giving up anything. >50% isn't bad; that's about as much as a team can expect if they sign Harper/Machado even at their age.

That would be nuts. Way too risky. This team just isn't ready.

On the other hand, what's the risk? Sign him, and if he hits, be quick to the party and move him in June. And if he doesn't hit, release him in June.

That would be okay, but he really did not have a good year with the bat in 2018.

Certainly true. He's signed some FAs - really only Robertson was of any quality. I don't really care if he signs some of these 2nd/3rd tier guys - i think it's a waste but it shouldn't do real harm. My fear is that he starts trading for veterans ....that's where Hahn is dangerous.

Is there a plan, or darts at the wall again? I thought the plan was to develop a core of young players and then "go for it". Apparently not.

This is a front office that has twice sent top young talent in return for a bloated contract of a veteran having a bad year. Now these ace negotiators will turn that scenario around?

Most would say no; a rebuilder might give it a shot. And any pitcher can be stashed in the pen with relative ease. The Sox aren't going to lose all of these guys. But the Sox have made several moves that helped other teams with their 40 man problems. There is some real riff-raff that remains on the 40 man that makes it odd that they would take the chance.

The question is whether he has value to others. If so, use the value. Trade excess, don't give it away. I still don't see why Hahn consistently trades for Rule 5 eligible players during a rebuild.

Is there a link to the 40 man roster itself?

The Sox could use a starting pitcher. Corbin stands tall - he's younger than the rest, less wear and tear, and his Ks are still there. And, accordingly, he's the one everyone wants. Keuchel is good, but his Ks fell and he's pitched a lot. May have some Shields in him. Happ is 35, but his Ks are still there. Charlie Morton is about like Happ, but I'd prefer Morton. And Paxton has 2 years left- it's ridiculous for the Sox to trade for a 2 year pitcher. Pretty much Corbin or bust for any long term deal; and then, to me, Morton, for a 2 year bridge pitcher if he can be signed reasonably.

The Sox have no use for Santana; and trading 2 young pitching prospects with this thin staff? Nix.

Because 3 years barely puts him in the window of contention.

They couldn't. The team would be the Giants of 2018 or the Sox of 2015/2016. And it makes a lot of sense to acquire Machado/Harper without signing a bunch of 2nd/3rd tier FAs.

Too bad. But tip of the cap to the Sox for trying to make that move.

Bad in the sense that it put a financial strain on the org., then none really. Bad in the sense that the players didn't perform? 25-30.

I just think that's silly stuff. It's like trading for 1 year of Machado so that he'll see how wonderful Ricky's clubhouse is and will sign for cheaper. Or they make silly move A to flip in move B. Just a bunch of contrivances. That stuff just never works out. And fortunately, it usually never gets off the ground.

I agree...and if they do, that it sets back the rebuild and a tacit admission by the FO that the rebuild didn't work or at least they have no faith. I think .500 is about the best this FO is capable of; they are just over-matched in resources, skill, etc. IF JR is really going to spend for Machado and Harper (they'll need both) then that would compensate a good bit for other weaknesss.

Don't see the point. Org is loaded with DH/1B types.

Brantley's a good player when he plays. But not sure where the 62 win outfit is going with this.