BamaDoc

Think we may be bargain shopping at two levels. First the decent starter who wants $ or years and not getting offer he likes. We would be hoping for one year prove it deal and the pitcher would at least be on a contender. Second level is guy willing to come on minor league deal and prove it in spring training.

Looked at Marwin. Surprised that besides 2017, he hasn't been very good. Flat out bad last year with OPS .606 I could see minor league invite but doubt takes. These are guys who may go to a bad team that offers regular playing time/ML contract.

If you look at our lineup, the DH slot prob hits 7-8 when it is Collins/Mercedes eventually Vaughn who could go to 6. We have some players who may regress but look at the potential improvement Edwin OPS .627 Mazzara .589 Moncada(ill) .705 Robert .738 Not having the veteran DH only, allows you to mix and match, try multiple, ride the hot hand, rest guys. A manager who should know how to handle that part of strategy especially since the NL game required more manager maneuvering is also in place.

Thats the crazy part of this, if he is good it is 2-85. If he gets hurt, say TJ and can't pitch it really becomes 2-105. All risk by the club. I mean good for him for getting this kinda deal. In earlier posts, I questioned if you want Bauer sitting next to young guys you are trying to lock up long term. How do you ask Gio to take 15-20 if his teammate makes 40-45?

Times have changed and totally agree it was always nerve-racking. Best of luck when not pitching against us or when we need em to lose. 0.81 ERA got him a 50% pay cut! True example of peripherals driving market.

Wonder if the leak was to firmly let it be known that they have a three year offer?

To be fair, so far, no other pitching coach has fixed Fulmer. I really thought he would go to the Reds and his old pitching coach from Vandy and be useful.

Needing lefty balance, his returning to form is possibly our biggest offseason addition.

I envy the Padres prospect depth to do these deals and not touch their highest rated guys. Padres still have 8 FV 50 and above per MLB.com after the trade. We have six and obviously would have only a couple if we had done these deals. That is my lesson. We need to continue to add to the farm to have trade capital. A 20 plus million salary is substantial for us. Am I the only guy who would be scared of it coming to a guy 34,35,36 years old?

So with questions like this, people wonder why high dollar free agents aren’t being signed. As I’ve said,reassess team needs near trade deadline seems likely. Also free agents probably want signing bonus which wouldn’t be affected by salary proration like this year.

Hindsight always has advantages. We were and still are a heavy right handed team. Grandal offered a longer track record and an opportunity to gain left handedness after 2019. No one knew what McCann would do in 2020. He was coming off a non tender in 2018. Who were you going to get rid of to add left handed hitters after 2019? Pito, Anderson, were in the infield with Madrigal coming. Eloy, with Robert coming. Moncada switch at third. That left three spots catcher, right field and dh to add lefty hitters. Grandal makes a ton of sense as does a lefty hitting right fielder (tried Mazara didn’t work). My biggest gripe was Edwin though I understand it. Would’ve preferred Collins/Mercedes platoon (or Brian if kept hitting like 2019) and if needed augment at trade deadline. If McCann kept as primary catcher would you have traded a rh hitter? Who? Go with 7 plus rh hitters?

Interesting data. How many of those contracts look good in hindsight?

Is he qualifying offer eligible? If so your one year extension is about 19 million as a floor? Everyone saying this guy is Bauer quality so how much less would he ask for on one year? I doubt he is thinking low but he is older. How much risk is each side willing to take. If he pitches good , what would Yankees or Boston offer cause that’s what you’re up against.

This is the kind of move which shortens your contention window even if you might be better for one year. If the second player is a prospect instead of filler hate more

And one year from now, Lynn is likely gone.

For one year, I hate it as a 1:1. Plus prospect. Not good unless Lynn signs very reasonable extension.

Hope don’t give much. Think if COVID stays you can get guys very cheap for salary relief

Gotcha. My bad, I missed you were speaking about the kids and not international overall. Crazy that they are now even skewing to 15 and younger.

Did you forget about the 52 million it cost to get Robert?

I am happy for James but remember that Grandal hitting lefty really helped balance our lineup.

Why is anyone surprised things/we are moving slowly? Sox have always had a budget. They likely lost money. The revenue forecast for this coming year is all over the place depending on factors no one can provide answers for (how many games, fans or not, etc). The non tenders will give a glimpse of where other teams are monetarily. If there are a ton of cuts, I would expect us to be cautious and get a couple lower cost pieces. Maybe one or two decent additions but reserve most activity for the trade deadline where the financial picture should be much clearer.

If the league wide losses are true, spending could be defined as cutting less or increasing slightly.

And DeGrom is 32 and owed 35.5/35.5/32.5 and optional 32.5 Keep your players and sign Bauer if thats what they are thinking. DeGrom is not on that cheap of a contract.

I don’t get the Chri Sale comparisons. Sale doesn’t let you take him out of that game! Nor does any ace I would want. Snell is a very good twice through the lineup guy but Tampa was terrified of the third. When I hear ace, I think of the 120 plus pitch count guys or guys you don’t even count pitches when they start. I’m the proposals listed are the cost, hard, hard pass.

Just had a thought. We don't know what next year will look like. We are supposedly back to 2019 roster rules but what if we again get expanded rosters? It would be easier for a bad team to stash a player. I think a 50k risk.