southsider2k5

I see a clear line between legitimately trying and failing, and throwing out an "offer" which has no chance of being accepted just to say you threw out an offer. Ultimately I feel like the Sox probably will NOT sign either one of these guys, but I also don't feel like it will be for a lack of trying. This is a LOT of money and years we are talking about, and I feel like we will reach the ownerships no go point during these negotiations. Where that will be exactly, I don't know, but the one thing I don't see is the Sox offering Bryce Harper a 6/150 type of deal just so say they offered him a deal. If they go in, they will go in with the intention of signing him, understanding what that means in terms of contract.

They have the easiest cover in the world to not get fans hopes up this winter with the rebuild.

THINK OF THE PAYROLL IN 2027!!!!

I haven't seen it said by a legitimate scout or scouting report. There is nothing glowing in the report, but there is nothing that sounds like Palka or Delmonico either.

That would be a pretty long time to wait for Soxtalk.

The worst possible strategy to execute this winter would be to pretend to the fan base to have legitimate interest in the top free agents, and it not be for real. This would be so astronomically stupid, I can't even conceive for it being a possibility. You are in a rebuild now, and the fans understand that directly. Go convince them that you are looking at real big time players to have it found out to be a lie would destroy trust in this franchise forever. It would be White Flag on steroids.

I kind of feel the same way. The OF is where we are loaded right now, so that seems like an awful lot for the least possible gain long term.

Listen to what Rick Hahn has to say.

Not a full one.

Again, bad isn't the same as a teardown. The closest we have come in my life time to this is the White Flag trade which was 1997, but that didn't involve everyone going out there door, just guys close to free agency. Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, and Robin Ventura all stuck around.

I am going to guess ASAP.

Bad isn't the same as a teardown.

Off of the top of my head, I wouldn't call them the same thing. I don't remember there being a lot of trades and a formalized commitment to being bad for a period of time to start over again.

I am over 40 and had never seen a full teardown and rebuild in my lifetime. I'm not even entertaining the idea of a full teardown and rebuild. ^ Me in 2015.

Not a big surprise after hearing what Hahn has been saying for months, but still nice to see it out in public now.

Shoulder problems are a huge red flag for me.

There is zero incentive for Hahn to hunt at chasing a big name FA if they have no intention of doing it full out. It is going to raise expectations and piss off the more offendable in the fan base if they fail, or even worse if they do it halfway.

Dropped hints about chasing a top notch FA this winter. Cease is on a schedule of Kopech, but a year behind. If he had higher innings totals, he'd probably have been up most of next year. Talked about adding starting and relieving help short term this winter. Praised Shields work with the kids. Everything on schedule with Kopech. Sounds like all coaches will be back.

This was a must listen. Lots of good stuff there.

Who the F tweets at a professional athlete to b**** at him about his velocity 15 months after TJS? Come on people.

Yes. Next obvious question?

If that is what you read into that, sure. We want an echo chamber.

The point WAS we were trying to give some freedom to discuss issues without a formal board, but if people can't handle that and feel the need to threaten people we can revisit the policy again. This post is exactly what we are trying to get rid of.