bmags

Y'all, soxfest really put a pin in the manny balloon for me. I still believe he's coming, but it's gone on too long to find it interesting any more. I am doing a big board exercise that predicts where the team is at in 2020 at each position, and lists potential FAs/acquisitions there. There will be a manny and a no manny version. Starting with No Manny. No Manny The way to read this is the player next to the position is starter, the players to right are IN ORDER the depth that I believe them to be, and this includes both realistic use within that year, and then the longer it goes out longer term planning. X means needs upgrade, O means likely set. X C - Zevala // Collins X 1b - Alonso // Palka // Collins // Sheets // Rose // Burger O 2b - Moncada // Madrigal // Mendick O SS - Anderson // Madrigal // Rondon // Mendick // Rivera X 3b - Sanchez // Madrigal // Rondon // Burger O LF - Jimenez // Basabe // Gonzalez // Rutherford O CF - Robert // Basabe // Gonzalez // Engel O RF - Adolfo // Basabe // Gonzalez // Rutherford X DH - Alonso // Palka // Collins // Adolfo X SP SP1 - Kopech SP2 - Rodon SP3 - Cease SP4 - Lopez SP5 - Giolito // Dunning // Stephens // Lambert N/A RP (how could I know how well these guys will do) RP 1 - Colome RP 2 - Herrerra RP 3 - Fry RP 4 - Burdi RP 5 - Hamilton RP 6 - Bummer RP 7 - Johnson // Frare // burr // schryver // veiera // etc etc UPGRADE Possibilities C - Grandal // Cervelli (FA) 1b // DH - Castellanos, Goldschmidt, Khris Davis, Abreu 3b - Rendon, Arenado, Donaldson 3b (by way of SS upgrade) - Bogaerts, Didi SP - Sale, Bumgarner, Chacin, Wheeler, Wacha, Porcello, Pineda Ideally, you get one vet, strong anchor for this staff. But if not, see how pineda does this year. I initially thought Salazar was a FA this year but not until 2021...ugh. Takeaways Manny just makes too much sense. It gives legit depth with 4 good athletic infielders, and allow tim to be a potential OFer if that depth doesn't pan out immediately. The way out without Manny isn't horrible though, just pretty bad. Clearly corner bats can be upgrades big time in 2020 from where they are expected. Obviously, if we don't get manny this year I have zero belief they would get Arenado. But Castellanos as a 1b/dh may be a perfect fit. Catcher is the position that could singlehandedly reverse itself with good year, and possibly 1b if Palka becomes good. SP I think should add one regardless of how good everyone looks. Just me, but ideally the winner of Dunning/Lopez is your fifth starter and our fifth starter is great, or if they both turn out you trade Rodon in season for guys. Outfield NEEDS to hit, especially if Moncada is just a starter and not an all star. Thank you all for not reading. Bottom line, if we sign Machado I'm feeling really good for 2020-2023.

no idea but if lack of activity is any indication, marwin g might be heading to an area where he is a decent buy low asset. If he recreates 2017 then you have a chip.

Yep, this was the one big out they had and naturally they are not ready to capitalize. They had the assets but couldn't end the impression (being charitable) of their backstabbing culture and, then, we have Jim Boylen, a yahoo commentor come to life as a basketball coach.

Probably a little better than last year but that's knowing the injuries that occurred last year. Hahn said a lot of versions of this quote that sounded better so maybe this was just one that got away.

It seems like people don’t remember at all what Ozzie was like in 2009-2011 and especially the circus with his kids.

It’s not day 1.

I mean yes if in the next year it shows it can actually develop talent.

Yep the only amount is 200 million or 500 million and no in between.

If I’m Hahn? I don’t know why I’d say screw it. I’m the reason the situation has continued along. Some act like the worst possible situation was Sox bidding against themselves. To me it is not getting Machado.

Well, pretty much what I was most worried about. Dicking around trying to get optimal value and allow other teams the time to start convincing owner to get in the game.

It’s weird that I have never read a Steve Greenberg piece before and subscribe to the ST

I think it’s from the movie boiler room with Giovanni Ribisi.

That’s a shamu. really bad sorry. Sorry sorry. Sorry.

I’ll admit I’m really confused on the Dodgers end when pairing this with Realmuto news. This rumor obviously had smoke but if Verdugo is traded the dodgers have the least depth they’ve had in years (and despite lack of WS that’s been pretty successful)

Hey fathom what does this mean?

Well there was every SoxFest where jack McDowell’s band played

Yes, my first journalism class I learned the first rule is to cover sponsored pr events absolutely, without any interruptions.

Last year at soxfest and then his first few broadcasts in spring training i thought he may surprise retire, then he picked it up big time and sounded semi like himself all year. But I wouldn't be surprised if it hits him at once that he can't keep up with the wear and tear anymore.

No fathom, you can either get a good gm that is bad at comms, or a bad gm that is bad at comms, no gms are allowed to be good at this!

I don't understand the idea that there is only one way to express things or another way. They can say they are intent on adding productive long term value in every avenue possible and this year offers a unique opportunity we are dedicating ourselves as an organization to while not saying "but hey, just trying is pretty cool to!", i'd rather he just say "but we are dedicated to building an overwhelming array of talent period, no matter the avenue, and free agency isn't the only way to do that."

So, as expected, every question is a variation on "will you sign machado". Soxfest gon' be gr8.

Just what we all wanted to hear right?!?

Friedman is never over a barrel. He could easily just keep pederson and be fine.

I mean, okay, but the sentiment here is the sox are sitting on it and want to announce it on their time. More likely is the deal isn't completed as to why it is not announced.

The idea that two teams are going to hold a secret trade for over 24 hours in this environment is fantastic to me. If some white sox bloggers know it's done, there are LA dodgers bloggers that know its done, there would be friends of agents that know its done. It wouldn't survive the daylight if it was completed.