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MadBum and Rendon put Moncada back at 2nd.

Fascinated is a good choice of words. I might've used dumbfounded.

Actually signed for $3.5M with another $2,5 M in incentives based on AB's . $250K starting at 350 AB's then every 50 AB's after that another $250K up to 600 AB's. SO if he reaches 600 AB's that another $1.5M for him .Then if he gets 650 AB's he get's another $1M. Those incentive protect the Rays from injuries. Sox easily could've done that. There was speculation in the off season that one guy was practically begging the Sox to keep him or resign him. That might've been Avi.

It's speculation of course you cannot draw that kind of conclusion There is more to baseball than just defense and RBI's. If you take Palka out of the lineup from the beginning of the season AVi's defense though much maligned here was average . Not great not bad. He also has a ton more speed and a much better arm then Palka therefore being more valuable in the field and on the base paths. Palka hardly got on base. Avi's OBP is currently .344 which gives more guys opportunities to knock him in . More hits even if they don't result in RBI's, extend innings and advance runners, In a nutshell better speed , better runner on the bases, more HR's, much higher batting average and OBP ,better fielder, stronger arm, more runs scored, longer innings, . Did I miss anything ? That's how bad Palka was. Avi currently has a 1.2 WAR which would put him second on the Sox behind McCann and an OPS+ of 122 so all that WAR cannot be just offense. Then maybe Cordell replace Engels in center and it's even better .

I was wondering the same thing about why it's 2 games in a row he isn't in there.

Sayonara baby ! That's the HR call for one of the spanish speaking broadcasters.

If the Cubs had said what you just said about Lester they never win the World Series and he is still their best pitcher and he was a year older than Madbum . He also had pitched a lot of post seasons before they got him (84 innings.), I understand your doubts about JR or if the Sox will even consider him as a target but in my eyes the Sox should know if they want to do what they say they do then a quality free agent or 3 to supplement the young guys is a must. Not 3 guys who cost $50M each but at least 1 guy who they are going to have to pay top dollar for. Top dollar for $150M is better than $300M for them.

We have to remember MadBum pitched over 100 innings combined in 4 different post seasons along with his usually workload as one of the top innings pitched guys for many years. Even with the last post season appearances being in 2016 ,I think his arm was weary for the last couple of years. He certainly has a magnificent track record. Seems like he's been around forever because he started so young but will be just 30 for the 2020 season.

All you can do is inquire and see what's up. Any GM would do his due diligence. Harper supposedly didn't want to go to Philly .Machado probably never imagined he'd end up on the Padres when he started free agency.

You must love a guy like Cody Bellinger but then again most of us do or should. Amazing LH bat and plays 1st CF and the other OF positions as well as he plays 1st base which is very well. Also has a pretty strong and accurate arm. 5 tool guy all the way.

I just found a copy of the B-52's Wild Planet album at a yard sale. I was stoked because I always wanted it but I didn't look at it too closely because I was too busy picking out more vinyl and CD's . When I got home and examined it the song titles were in English and Spanish. Planeta Salvaje. (Wild Planet) .Turns out it was made in Mexico and put out by Warner Bros. for distribution in Mexico. Very unique find which not many people have. I know this is neither here nor there topic wise but it gave me an opening to share this with those who know I collect rock music vinyl. As far as Benetti and Stone. I can live with them but then again I liked Hawk til the very end so I am not too picky. Benetti is a homer and so was Hawk. That's what I want.

I can actually find a few parallels between the Cubs signing of Lester and the Sox going after Bumgarner . The Cubs signed the left handed Lester for his age 31 season to anchor their staff for what hopefully would result in a World Series win. Mission accomplished. If the Sox signed Bumgarner it would be for his age 30 season. They need a LH in the rotation. I think a few World Series appearances took a lot out of his arm but he is coming back from that. He could go back to being a high quality LH workhorse and he could also provide a winners perspective and invaluable insight into pitching for the youngsters. He is exactly what the Sox need .

1st and foremost they saw youth (compared to the other catchers out there) and a decent 2017 and that he was pretty good at controlling the running game. Also that he was cheap and at the very least better at framing and overall defense than Narvaez .Those things were obvious. If they saw more than that I'd be surprised. But that is 5 positives in his favor that were obvious so maybe that was enough though not enough for us here who hated the signing.

Abreu gave credit to Welingtoon CastilLOL. Maybe Beef can take his own advice and become flavorful again.

Yes he is a horse and I'm sure the Sox young pitchers could learn a lot from him. I just don't think the Sox are in a position to take chances on an old arm while giving up young players for it . I rather see what the market for Bumgarner or Cole is going to be like and keep the players.

They could also deal Strasburg . Under control til 2023 at about $25M/year, Deal or wait for another injury to screw it up. That would be a lot of salary off the books SO how do the Nats play it ?

Hey Dunning could still be a decent starter and has all the control years left. I doubt Rizzo would do it because it would be a reminder that they gave up Giolito and Lopez and are now taking back 1/3 of what they gave up and an injured 1/3 at that. I just made that trade up spur of the moment but I haven't convinced myself that's a good trade for the Sox .

Scherzer turns 35 July 27th , right before the trade deadline. If the Nats are out of it then I see Scherzer going to a contender. I doubt they wait another year since that would risk an old arm deteriorating even more or injury.

Dunning for Eaton. I'd do that.

So I make a couple of good points about Tilson and all of a sudden he's not worth discussing when you were discussing him in the 1st place. Maybe they don't sniff a good team's roster but I guess I have to remind you we are not a good team and are rebuilding so your point makes no sense. This is what rebuilding teams do . They take flyers on injured guys, reclamation projects etc, and see if they can win the lottery . I agree it was a terrible off season. There's not enough lipstick in the world to make that pig look good and you serve a purpose of reminding us of that, They don't deserve our trust. I have made many posts regarding that situation. However it is still a rebuild so I/we have to realize that there is going to be a good amount of suck. I just prefer not to dwell on the suck or in the past and look ahead .

Who would do that ? muhahhaha (evil laughter)

OK ? Facts matter that's why I corrected him.

Hey we can agree on that.

The sample size is small but it just goes to show how guys can come back from injuries. Cordell and Tilson just haven't been real healthy the last few years. Since the Sox have had so many injuries it's real nice to know they don't last forever. It just seems that way. Jones Rodon Kopech Burger Dunning Burdi who am I missing ? Robert couldn't show anything either till this year.

I knew today I wouldn't have to make the winner's thread.That was one of the happier game threads I have seen in a while. 2 well pitched games in a row by the starters, McCann getting a lot of love. Enjoy it while it lasts.