Jack Parkman

Mostly accurate. They don't want to commit past 33-34. So you can kiss Sale and Cole goodbye next offseason. They're the only good FA left. There is no way in hell Cole is only getting a 6 year deal. Let's continue winning the fiscal responsibility trophy.

This thread wasn't meant to b**** about random political shit, it was meant to b**** about baseball related musings. Let's quit the politics please, there is a reason the filibuster was closed. Thanks.

Aaron Nola was the rumor. Would have been nice.

They could have signed Gio Gonzalez, Santana and CarGo and had a better offseason than what they did. Giving away a prospect for Nova is inexcusable at this point.

Either way both guys should make the team. If they don't want to give Banuelos the shot first, fine. They're in a weird position. Deadline rentals for aging pitchers don't pay off like they used to. Do you really think that anyone will give the Sox much for Santana should he pitch well? I don't.

He's a complete wild card, with no MLB experience. What evidence do we have other than hitters are having trouble with him in the spring? I just think he's shown enough to get 4-5 starts. If he sucks, they can DFA him. Just give him a look. He's 28, but he has more of a future than Santana or Nova.

Oh I know Banuelos isn't the mid-90s guy anymore but he's still missing bats with the fastball, which says that his stuff is good enough, even if it isn't at the level of when he was the #13 prospect in baseball. Banuelos being left handed certainly helps him. 93 mph from a lefty is still nothing to scoff at if the hitters have trouble with it.

Santana is that guy when he's throwing 94-95 mph, which he's not currently. The last time he had that kind of stuff he was good, then got busted for roids. After getting off the juice, he's lost velo again. Santana and Nova should be fighting for that last rotation spot, with the other guy going to LR. Banuelos has shown enough to get a look, IMO.

On this note, there is no way in hell that Santana should get starts over Banuelos at the beginning of the season. Banuelos has shown he can miss bats in ST, they should at least give him April to show what he has. Why trade for the guy if you're not going to give him a chance to start???

Moncada BB

If you want to Muskie fish with the closest drive to the city, Mallard Lake in Carol Stream is pretty damn good from what I hear. I haven't hooked one yet, but I haven't tried all that much either. I've seen pics from other anglers of 40+ inch muskie with regularity. They stocked it around the turn of the century.

We all praised them for taking Rodon over Nola. Funny how things work out, isn't it?

I don't think Hahn is as horrible as most think. I put the majority of the blame on Kenny and Uncle Jerry. They should both gtfo of the way and let Hahn do his job. If Uncle Jerry thinks of Kenny as his adopted son, I have no problem with Kenny remaining with the org as long as he's not allowed to meddle in baseball decisions anymore. He can have a job as long as it is as an "emeritus" position. Only there to continue collecting a paycheck, as Uncle Jerry promised Kenny's folks back in the 80s that he'd take care of Kenny. Uncle Jerry has been a man of his word and has taken care of KW post playing career because baseball didn't work out for him. That is very admirable and I give JR many kudos for that. I will also say the JR seems like a legitimately decent human being and this is just proof of that, but he does put business and personal generosity in two distinct boxes completely separate from each other. He seems like a ruthless businessman but an otherwise generous person, if that makes any sense to you. It is weird how he runs his teams. If you're a rank and file org worker he treats you like family, but if you're the on the field/court product he treats you like a piece of meat.

100% agreed. Go grab CarGo for $3M at least he'll prevent runs from scoring unlike the butcher Palka. His defense is worth it to support the young pitching staff.

It didn't matter if they weren't going to pay Machado $300M. If they were never intending to "go to that level" as KW said, then they should have never been public about it nor should they have acquired Alonso or Jay.

Alonso was such a baffling move. Palka needs those ABs at DH and they still need someone that can play a competent RF. There is nobody on the roster that can play a competent RF. They're going to be forced to play Eloy there eventually. Bringing back Avi for another season made more sense than wasting $9M on Alonso. Is he good at RF? No. Is he not a complete butcher? yes.

That is exhibit A for why Palka should be nowhere near RF. He makes Schwarber look competent as an OF.

LOL. Wishful thinking ,not everyone is as stupid as Hahn and Kenny.

Dallas Keuchel is going to be the next James Shields. Not a chance in hell I'd sign him. There is a reason he doesn't have a contract yet.

Lolololol. 7 K in 5 IP is a positive for Giolito.

It's starting or bust for LG. He's too inconsistent out of the stretch and with runners on to be a bullpen pitcher.

I don't disagree with you, as I've been one of his biggest supporters. However.....he's still having similar issues plague him as last year. My hope is greatly diminishing with each start.

I guess if you want to take any positives out of this game is that Giolito's actually missing bats.

Very true.

It's getting really hard to continue to defend Giolito. Idk why the guy continues to suck, but he does.