CaliSoxFanViaSWside

Your guy Jason Martin is still out there. Kind of a small guy but LH has power. No success in his MLB trials in the past. Has the speed to play CF but supposedly not a good fielder so basically a corner guy mostly LF. 3 years younger version of Payton. I've seen most reports that list him at 5'9" and one at 5'11"

Your argument was precisely the reason why I was suggesting guys who were better than Cespedes from the beginning. Viable 4th OF and better depth pieces than Payton. Of course they chose Payton rather than 20 something guys with upside. But there's still time but the guys I liked are already gone, except Outman and he's a trade piece.

Hey at least I identified a couple guys who were snatched up early. OF depth and defense remain a big problem not likely to be solved through Free Agency.

I knew he would sign somewhere fairly soon. He's got too much talent , just got victimized by AZ. Horn of Plenty in the OF. My main guy Outman can still be traded for. He's the one I want most. However still need depth pieces and 2 I thought were good for that already gone.

I brought him up at the trade deadline. Always a possibility.

Yep when I can say the QO should've been made and I can say way ahead of time he should've been resigned without knowing what the Sox knew about his medicals you know winning a championship is never a priority. But many here were very concerned about his past injuries and didn't want to resign him. Not even our medical expert wanted to resign him. I always thought there was nothing wrong with his arm except fatigue. After all, even when he slowed down in August he'd get extra rest and go right back out and also made a playoff start. It never sounded like an injury to me. Also working with Katz improved his mechanics and I was confident that he had eliminated most of the things that led to his injuries. All season long people here were almost hoping he'd have arm problems because I was so vociferous about wanting him to return. April , May, June, July I'd hear "he's gonna get hurt just wait " but it never happened. SF didn't make the playoffs but Rodon had a great season. Thanks JR, Hahn, Sox medical staff for successfully making a decision that benefitted SF more than the Sox in this laughable championship window.

There's no consensus on Soxtalk. We hear the same names bantied around like Benintendi, Gallo, Conforto , Bellinger but I'm highly doubtful on FA signings from this point forward in the OF. That leaves Trades and dumpster diving. I've suggested names in trades and dumpster dives for guys who are definitely better than Cespedes who currently is the 3rd real OFer the Sox have and not real close to MLB ready. No one really likes hearing about DFA guys as viable solutions but for depth purposes and even for 26 man roster purposes there are always MLB ready fast defense types with upside power bats. I suppose it would be disappointing to many to get some of those guys. But they are ready defensively and had successful small samples in MLB last year.

Good spit

So it's Grandal for Kepler now ?

Are those AAA stats ? I like OAA better or scouting reports although usually on a 27 yr old scouting reports are old and injuries can change the grades. But like that you are exploring on the margins depth pieces. Trea Turner not a chance in hell.

Just like any other move it either will or won't work out. But like you said defense has to be better which is what I've been aiming at . Speed , good gloves , strong armed power hitting, dynamic, energetic MLB ready, 20 something OFers. Clevinger has a good ground ball rate which the Sox usually target for SP.

How's Martin's defense and speed ?

No based on age alone Cueto will get less.

I'll guess more than $10M to get it done this early in the off season .

Sounds done. Good SP always number one priority. Now see what the Dodgers will give up for Hendricks and while they mull it over get another cheap OF so you don't look so desperate ( even though you are).

Sounds simple enough. How much salary are the Sox saving with the guys you are trading ? Why are we trading for catching ? Who is Eguy ? How long and how much is Trea Turner costing ? What are you smoking ?

Yea probably but it's not like my OF plan isn't needed . You can do worse than getting MLB ready talent who are going to give u speed and defense in the OF with hitting upside with years of control.Upgrades are upgrades . wherever they are. It sure fits the budget better than piecemealing guys who cost more for a year or 2. That's usually the Hahn plan that hasn't been working too well. We criticize him and want him fired but most of you are throwing the same names around he would and get the same bad results or short term decent results. Hahn talked about a 10 year + run of playoffs. So far he's accomplished nothing. There has to be more depth. There's nothing in the OF in AAA or the Sox . It's beyond pitiful. When does long lasting team building happen ? No SP depth either.

Now you're on my wavelength. You come around eventually ?

Pretty sure I mentioned Kelenic at the trade deadline for the same reasons you are. No idea how little it would cost to get him but worth checking into.

I think if the Sox targeted Clevinger because Katz likes something about him it could work out. Cueto is a big loss. Just guessing here but I think he averaged the most innings per start among the Sox SP . His stats were good. I'd say Clevinger outperforming Cueto is a 33% chance. But hoping the chances are better that Giolito , Kopech and Lynn outperform their 2022 selves. Cease maintaining the status quo would be good.

Too early for a showcase. He can let his shoulder heal and strengthen it for another 2 months if Boras desires. Declare it 100 % healed now but take your time signing. That's what I think will happen. We never get much truth from Boras about how he hurt it or how it may effect his game. Its nothing but blowing smoke up everyone's ass.

Thanks. I wasn't sure. Hard to keep track of if the Sox finally got rid of guys that have shown very little progress.OF depth at an all time low . Nothing left in the majors or AAA except Robert and the 3 non OF OFers , Sheets, Vaughn and Eloy. If Clevinger signs doesn't leave much money left to sign an OF . Trades are the next move . Outman on my list. Stone Garrett still available . OF pieces still need at least 2 or 3 more besides Colas.

Nope . Depth piece better than Cespedes ,Rutherford . Not my problem if the Sox don't want to improve depth and Aquino goes where he gets paid. My ideas were always meant to improve on the margins. This team has so many problems that marginal upgrades to defense, speed and depth are quite helpful. If you never understand that team building is a process and think that every off season move should make headlines then you are out of your depth talking about it.

Well Sheets too, at least at home but there's no place for him this year unless Hahn keeps hibernating.

Before we heard about the supposed payroll cut, Benintendi seemed like the most obvious pursuit of an OF FA. Then I decided if JR was going cheap to switch my focus to pitching and defense with OFers way cheaper but with MLB ready, athletic, skillful profiles.