hogan873

So, it seems like SoxTalk is really high on Vaughn and expects him to be the team's DH as early as this season. Are the Sox as high on him? Do we believe that their plan is to have him take over the DH role at some point in 2021, or is it more likely that he spends the year in the minors and is the DH beginning in 2022? Either way, I can see the resistance to giving Cruz two years. But, I fear going into 2021 without a plan for a DH other than the dreaded DH by committee.

Or he becomes a trade piece.

So, does Bob just spew shit, hoping something ends up being true?

No, it's not. Keeps him out of the AL, and lets someone else pay $38MM a year. He's a great pitcher and worth a lot of money, but that would tie up a shit ton of payroll for several years.

True. However, we haven't heard of any football games with fans being super-spreader events. MLB will most likely have a plan that will allow fans, but they will defer to local restrictions always.

At this point, it seems more likely that Bauer will end up on a short deal somewhere for $25MM+. The list of teams he could end up playing for is short, and the list gets even shorter if he wants a long term deal.

It's entirely feasible for stadiums to have limited capacity of fans by opening day. Football has shown that it can be done, and with the vaccine being rolled out, the risk will be lower. I still don't expect full capacity of fans until late summer, but starting off at 10% - 20% in April seems possible.

I’m fine with Wainwright as the #4/#5 starter. Solidifies the rotation with experience, and he’s pitched well recently. It’s not exciting, but it’s help.

Milwaukee was probably reading this site and was like, "Dude, I know we basically agreed on Stiever, but these Soxtalk clowns love Crochet. Give me the phone. I gotta call Rick."

I play RBI Baseball on my iPad. It's the best mobile baseball game, IMO. Fairly realistic as far as stats, but overall it's probably harder to hit and easier to pitch. So, you end up with a lot of low scoring games. The 2020 version is worlds better than previous versions. Much improved gameplay, different pitching and hitting views (vs. always from behind the plate), and finally allowing you to pick specific pitches instead up just fast or slow. Rosters are continuously updated, and you can add free agents and make trades. It's worth the $6.99 for the app. I play it every day, so I get plenty of use out of it. It's really cool that TA will be on the cover. Much deserved.

Yeah, I like the idea of Paxton/Richards/etc. as a bottom of the rotation starter while keeping the farm intact. Come trade deadline time, the Sox should be in a position to upgrade if necessary. I just think the cost for Burnes is going to be too high, as it sounds like one of Vaughn/Kopech/Crochet/Kelley would have to be included.

Odd...

No doubt Burnes will cost quite a bit to acquire, and the Sox have the players to do it. Unless it's an absolute steal, there will be some heartache (maybe a lot) if the Sox do indeed pull off this trade. I wonder what the consensus was of Padre fans with what they gave up so far this off season? The best comparison would probably be the Musgrove trade, but I think Burnes will cost more. If Kopech, Vaughn, and Crochet are truly off the table, are we okay with Madrigal plus 2 or 3 top prospects for Burnes. I'd have to think we would be; the rotation gets so much better instantly.

Last I saw, there was talk of allowing fans in "pod" seating with groups socially distanced. Local regulations may be stricter, but it certainly sounds like MLB wants to have fans able to attend spring training games.

Yeah, not enough of them anyway. I just looked it up and saw that since 1789 only 20 members of Congress have been expelled.

One more SP is almost imperative, and I think they'll sign one soon. As far as another bat, it makes sense to grab one, but I don't think it's as important. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if they add one. I'd be disappointed if they do not add a pitcher for sure.

I think we're going to learn some very disturbing things about the Capitol attack over time. I wouldn't be surprised if a few GOP lawmakers are arrested and/or expelled from office.

I may be wrong, but didn't the Sox and Abreu do something similar? I imagine they are still negotiating a long-term deal. Hopefully one gets done.

I saw that, too, and was wondering why they signed another outfielder. He had a decent 2018. He'll make $900K if he makes it to the MLB roster. I could understand he being a possibility at DH/sub/filler until Vaughn is ready.

Fed up with inaction? Biden hasn't been president for the past four years. Kind of hard to do stuff when he's not an elected official. But, it doesn't matter to morons like this and their followers. They will be screaming impeachment for the next four years.

At a minimum, she needs to be expelled from the House.

I don't like the idea of going into the season with no one in place for DH or the dreaded "DH by committee" approach. The Encarnacion signing backfired last year, but it was the right approach. If Vaughn isn't going to be penciled in as the DH, I think they need to go pick someone up for the role. I like La Stella because he gives the team a lot of flexibility and puts another good bat in the lineup. Honestly, even if they plan on bringing up Vaughn in June and he's ready, I still like adding La Stella.

Certainly looks like Trump will be the first president to be impeached twice. And, if reports are accurate, it's looking more likely that conviction is possible. My prediction is that he'll be impeached, and McConnell will tell Trump he needs to resign or he'll be convicted. Trump will resign early next week, and Pence will be the 46th president...for a day or two. If Trump is convicted, he will not be allowed to run for office again. If he resigns, he could still run again is 2024. I don't think it's likely, and even if he did I don't see the GOP backing him again. He could resign and still maintain his innocence, blathering and blaming all the way.

That would be my concern. He might get some reps at DH, too, but I still don't think he's get enough playing time for development. A veteran signing for someone who can come in and be a serviceable backup now makes the most sense. There are quite a few free agents available. I like the idea of Flowers, Avila, Castro, Molina, Ramos, Chirinos, etc. Most of the top free agents could and should be getting starting jobs. If the Sox do pick up a free agent, I expect someone more like Suzuki, Romine, or Phegley.

*begins refreshing Soxtalk and Twitter obsessively*