Jack Parkman

Sorry Ron. Posts aren't allowed to be deleted or hidden anymore.

I'm fine discussing moves that have a chance of actually happening rather than wasting bandwidth on stuff that is a fantasy. Maybe I should just ignore those posts and let them indulge in their fantasy world. I just feel like some of the offseason discussion drags down the quality of the board.

I know exactly what that word means and I am using it exactly as intended.

You nailed it. It was never my intent to change the subject, but rather build a case based on multiple points of evidence.

No, I think they think the fans are morons. Judging by the posts in this thread, they're right.

Yes. You're naive. I also think that they're not the only team that does it. I don't think it's as ridiculous of a concept as you do.

Yes. PR stunt, drumming up fan interest, social media hits, etc.

I see them as separate data points that support the argument. I still don't believe that they ever had any intention of signing Machado and that they always did just enough to stay relevant before finally bowing out.

No I don't. I've been accused of it multiple times but i really Don't understand what it is.

Keuchel's deal is pretty crippling as it stands.

Please explain how I'm moving goalposts? First off I don't understand the concept. The Sox have never signed a 9 figure contract yet. They offered one to Wheeler and it wasn't accepted. Until they actually get one done, I think it's unreasonable to expect one.

If you remember the negotiations, I don't ever think the Sox had the top offer for Machado. They wanted Machado, but they wanted him on their terms. I do not think they offered Machado the $250M contract until he already had the $300M offer from the Padres.

They were not serious because they never offered Machado $300M guaranteed. They were trying to placate the fans by saying "we tried" Machado was never going to accept anything less than 300M so their $250M offer was never serious because there was no way it was ever going to be accepted.

We'll agree to disagree there. Their offer of guaranteed money to Machado was never serious if it didn't begin with a 3.

If Conforto gets more than $90M on a 5 year deal I think the Sox are going to bow out. Grandal's deal is the largest the Sox have ever given so that's a very low bar to clear.

I think Escobar and Conforto as the major moves of the offseason is about the best Sox fans could reasonably expect. I'm incredibly annoyed with fans going gaga for guys like Seager, Scherzer et al. Each and every offseason. Those people are so divorced from reality it's not even funny.

No they're not, but they're the bare minimum to not be dumpster diving. What would you think if they only signed Villar and bullpen pieces?

Outside of Wheeler those weren't serious offers and you know it.

Like Grandal, they only shop at the top of the market at positions that don't command top dollar. Their biggest FA signings have been a 1B, C and Closer. Their holes aren't at those spots right now so expect dumpster diving.

^^^ Idk when people will learn. Be prepared for Escobar/Villar at 2B and Maybe Conforto, depending on if they can get him for under 100M. If not they're probably going to roll with what they have in RF and just fill out the bullpen.

Do you think it's possible they can dump Keuchel?

It doesn't seem odd, It's Jerry's MO. No long term commitment, big name, etc.

In my humble opinion the targets for RF/2B should hit L or S.

Agreed. If the owners can't make money paying their employees fairly(players, minor leaguers, concession workers, you name it) then it's their business model that is the problem. This goes for any business. If your business model requires shameless exploitaton of your workforce, then it's the business model that is the problem. Minor leaguers and other ancillary baseball workers should unionize.

Yeah, same here. Those people really get screwed and they should get paid more too.