hogan873

I seem to have the opposite problem. I can access Soxtalk on my mobile devices only using data. I cannot get on using WiFi. Odd.

It's easy to say this is why MLB players shouldn't be playing in the WBC, but as others have mentioned this could have happened in a spring training game. Hopefully he'll be back sooner rather than later. But, no need to rush him and risk a reinjury. The Sox have two others good options at catcher.

I suspect we'll start seeing guys sent to the minor league camps pretty soon. I haven't been following too closely, but it seems like there haven't been too many surprises. Which means there likely won't be many roster surprises.

But he's never growled upon seeing a great play. In all seriousness, though, you're absolutely right. I watched a few NFL games with him calling the play-by-play, and he sounds like a natural. He's just really freaking good at his job.

You'd think even the folks in Indiana knew what the Bears were doing. They want to be in Arlington Heights, the state wants them in Illinois. The Bears played the game and will most likely get what they want.

It's funny that a Hammond stadium would be easier to get to for folks in the southern suburbs (and maybe even the city) vs. one in Arlington Heights. However, it would just seem wrong to have a Chicago team playing in a different state. I do think the state eventually caves and agrees to the infrastructure improvements for Arlington Heights. The question is, will that be enough for the Bears to pivot back? Illinois is playing a dangerous game and may lose...big time.

I think they'll be a much more interesting team to watch than years past, but being competitive would require a lot of things to go right and few things to go wrong. Depending on our definition of competitive, I guess. They'll win more games and be "in" more games but probably won't approach .500 down the stretch. I do think 70 wins is a realistic target. All that being said, I'm already planning on hitting a few games this year. We only went to one last year and none the year before. I'm definitely optimistic of an entertaining season of baseball.

I'm not disagreeing that the Sox could have signed someone better. But Fedde was signed, so that's what I'm talking about.

Well, mediocre for the Sox is different than mediocre for other teams. Slightly worse than career average and eating about 4-5 innings per start would be fine for what he'll be paid and expected to do.

For $1.5 million, there should be no more complaining on this board about the signing of Fedde. If he pitches well enough to eat innings and give the young guys time to get up with the club, it's a good signing. Anything more than that is a win. At worst, he sucks and doesn't make it to opening day. The most likely outcome is he's mediocre but gives the Sox 5 innings or so most starts, which is fine.

And it's every thread. I partially blame the Sox for creating this atmosphere by deliberately sucking for so long.

Depending on the money, which shouldn't be much, I don't have a problem with this. His job will be to eat innings while the young guys have an opportunity to work their way up to the MLB club. If he can be even 60% of what he was with the Sox in 2024, he'll be fine for what he's needed. It's disappointing to hear about the possible (probable) arm issues with Giolito. I was surprised at how well he pitched last year coming back from surgery, and I was expecting him to be signed by now. The concern over his health makes sense now.

But they've spent more, sometimes significantly more, in past seasons. Trouble was, they typically spent money on the wrong players. Now they have a very small budget but are spending the money a little more smartly.

Yeah, but who wants to relive 2025?

Busy weekend for the Sox. This trade surprised me, mainly because of the info that it had fallen through. I actually like the trade. Hicks had a rough 2025, but he's got good stuff. Maybe the Sox can get him back on track. It sounds like he'll be out of the bullpen, but you never know. Getting some money from Boston was nice, especially considering they also got Sandlin, who might be the actual centerpiece of the trade.

I suppose Quero would be major, especially considering what they could get in return (I have no idea). I think Lee being traded is more likely, but you never know. Sosa would probably not get much of a return, despite his decent power numbers.

Do the Sox even have someone they could trade that would be considered major?

If there was a list of 100 problems the Sox have, this would be about #102. A lot of teams have sponsorship patches now, and probably most, if not all, will soon.

Yeah, Meidroth is much better than Madrigal. He'll never have big power numbers, but he's shown so far to be a good hitter with good defense. Sosa will have bigger power numbers, but his defense is bad at best.

Yeah...at market value, I agree. I'm just thinking about a return in prospects if Dominguez is an effective closer and is dealt. I would think the return might be better (more interesting anyway) than Robert's.

It's hard to put a finger on what some of the remaining free agents might get, but Bader probably gets $8 million or so, and Giolito probably $10 million. Hays and Giolito at $15 million total...maybe?

If they can only spend the $20 million, one of Bader or Giolito is possible. But, if Get was given a little flexibility and could spend a little more...

Probably already does. Dominguez has pitched pretty well, consistently. He's already a late-inning asset. If the Sox can use him as an effective closer, he'll be quite valuable.

All of whom will be in the best shapes of their lives!

Taking on Acuna and the other guy, while dumping $20 million in payroll, does not have potentially disastrous results. At worst, neither pan out and they're quietly released. At best, Acuna plays great defense, is a terror on the basepaths, and the bat improves a bit; and Pauley is a semi-useful bullpen piece.