hogan873

I was thinking Engel's defense would counter-balance the defense of the other guys, resulting in an overall meh performance. If Engel can stay healthy and actually hit RH pitchers a bit, we'd be in better shape.

I think the fact that the Sox haven't (and probably won't) sign Conforto to fill the known gap in RF is more frustrating than the production we'll get out of RF will be. There's a chance that a combination of Engel, Sheets, Vaughn, and Leury can give us decent production and overall average to slightly below average defense. If the Sox sign Conforto, we know who will be playing RF almost every day. If they don't, who the hell knows. It will be RF by committee, and the results will be spotty. Add to that, we'll have guys like Vaughn and Sheets who will be playing out of their natural positions, not really helping with their development. I've pretty much resigned myself to seeing the RF by committee, and we might be okay offensively, especially if some other guys perform well. It's just frustrating that there's a solution out there, and if he signs somewhere else, I don't see his contract being outrageous enough for us to say, "Good thing we didn't sign him." Maybe he chooses another team for other reasons like Wheeler did. Maybe it's his vax status holding things up. Or maybe the Sox end up looking like the team that had the best opportunity to improve and failed to do so.

Seems like there must be a small market for Conforto. Could be what he’s looking for in a deal (years, money, or both) or his purported vax status. Or a combination there of.

That would be great, but it seems unlikely. Is Bellinger the odd man out in LA? He still has two years of control, so I'd imagine the Sox might need to eat some of Kimbrel's salary.

I wonder what team could be looking for a possible closer that would be willing to trade an outfielder.

It's the Part 3 Ultimate Voodoo Dear Lord Do Something Before We Riot thread

There have been almost no rumors around Conforto or Castellanos. They're going to have to sign somewhere soon. It's not out of the realm of possibility that the Sox are waiting to free up the Kimbrel money to go get Conforto. Wishful thinking, I know, but...

Good points. And good for him in getting the money. It just seems a bit odd. My guess is that the Rockies' offer was by far the biggest.

If the Sox only make one more significant move, would we rather see a trade for a SP (Manaea, Montas) or a signing of a RF (Conforto, Castellanos)?

Lots of question marks about the decision by the Rockies, but I think Bryant's decision is more puzzling. Maybe no other team came close to that offer, but he didn't choose a team that is poised to be a perennial playoff threat. He'd have been better off going back to the Cubs. They'll have success quicker than the Rockies.

Vilfredo Pareto would be proud.

SoxTalk: We need an outfielder! Just not Joc Also SoxTalk after Joc signs elsewhere: Why didn’t the Sox sign him!?

Yeah, interesting omission. Maybe it means something, maybe it doesn't.

Easy to get outbid when you don't bid at all.

What teams could actually be players for Kimbrel? Sounds like Philly is out. I've seen some speculation, but I don't know what is more or less realistic.

Very, and he heard about it in the comments to his tweet.

I imagine this week could be pretty busy. Still some big FA names out there (Bryant, Castellanos, Conforto, Freeman, Story, Rizzo, Correa, etc.). Interested teams would like to have their guys in camp sooner rather than later I'm sure. Still hope the Sox add that one impact bat. It's odd, I think, that we haven't heard much about Castellanos or Conforto since the lockout was lifted. Those are the two big bats I could see the Sox most likely being interested in. Maybe we'll find out more this week.

Heyman is saying the opposite, that the Twins plan on keeping Sanchez. Maybe no one, not even the Twins, know what's going on.

I agree. I like the signing. He is the type of guy that can pester other teams and give your team an advantage.

I still expect Kimbrel to be traded, but what if he isn't and he returns to even close to how he was with the Cubs last year. The Sox bullpen could win them a lot of games. Plus, adding another asshole to the staff is always a good move. With Kopech, Lynn, Kelly, and Hendriks, there's going to be a brawl at some point with some team.

I’m okay with this. Especially if it means a bigger signing is coming for RF.

Is the Rodon signing the first domino?

Sorry to see Rodon go, but good for him. I bet he does well in SF.

I mean, he can't seriously expect the fans to be like, "Okay, we're cool, too with the current roster." Huge hole in RF, smaller but still substantial hole at 2B, and a glaring need for another starter. Not to mention more bullpen help. I get it. He can't say, "We have deals in the works and expect the team to look differently soon." But enough with the "we're good as we are" bullshit.

The GMs are all nervous about being first. Playing the dare game with each other. "Go on, Smart Ass, do it." "I dare you to go first." "Well, I double dare you!" "I double DOG dare you!" "I triple DOG dare you!" A major breach of etiquette.