Lillian

Now that's an interesting idea. Why not use the financial flexibility to help acquire Betts, without having to lose Madrigal, or Vaughn. Chaim Bloom really needs to shed some payroll, and Price is a good place to start. My question is, could Price reasonably be expected to at least contribute to the starting rotation? Just to refresh everyone's memory, Price is owed :$32M annually, for the 3 remaining years of his contract..

Dickerson's defense would be fine, except for his arm. He's fine in LF, but many are very dubious of his ability to play RF.

Probably a lot better than Bryant. Isn't Moncada a much better athlete? He certainly is much faster.

Do you really think that it makes sense to sign 3 position players? I think that Rendon and a LH bat (Moose, or Grandal) would be sufficient. Then spend the money on pitching

I would prefer Rendon, and that contract, as well. However, I suspect that it will be more like $40 Million AAV, for 5 years. If he was sincere, when he said that he didn't see himself playing at age 36, perhaps he would prefer to make the money, in fewer years. That might be fine, for the Sox.

I can't imagine that Rodon would be very happy about that, heading into his free agent year. Not sure what recourse he would have, but he wouldn't be a happy camper.

After last off season, it's hard to believe that they would be so foolish as to be saying such things, unless they were prepared to spend, really significantly. I'm encouraged.

That part goes without saying. Of course, in the final analysis. money talks.

How much of an effect do you think that signing Rendon would have on other free agents becoming intrigued with the idea of joining this emerging contender? If they could ink him to a deal, early in the off season, might some other big names think that they'd like to jump on the Sox train?

I'd like to address the point of view, often expressed here, that it is better not to allow oneself to be hopeful that the front office will spend the money to acquire a high priced free agent, because it sets one up for major disappointment. I have a different perspective. My satisfaction, or disappointment, is more a function of whether, or not, the front office does what I think would be the best thing. If I believe that this is the time to spend big on a free agent, then I will be disappointed, if they don't, even if I didn't expect them to. Whether, or not, I had high hopes is far less important. Theoretically, I could be of the opinion that it would be a mistake to commit too much to one, or more players, and in that instance, I could conceivably be disappointed that they did. In other words, I would be disappointed if they make what I consider to be a bad decision. My expectations are far less important than my judgement, regarding the wisdom of making any particular player acquisitions. To me, the notion that one shouldn't get their hopes up, for fear of disappointment, seems more like superstition. I hope that helps some of you who would like to be hopeful, but are afraid to do so. If you want Rendon, go ahead and be hopeful. Would you really be any less disappointed, if they don't sign him, just because you didn't expect it? The anticipation is half of the fun. I'm having a great time, just thinking about it. LOL

After listening to that podcast, my impression is that he had little to offer. That Sox are not going to give Jose $40 Million, for 2 years. They don't need to and shouldn't. If Jose wants to accept the QO, fine. If not, then I would expect each year to be for less, the more years that he gets.

No need to apologize, but thank you, just the same. Now, back to the important stuff of building a competitive roster. Go Sox!!

Has anyone done a 5 year financial projection, on what the Sox payroll would look like, prior to adding any free agents? There isn't much argument about them being able to spend big, for this coming season. The question is what commitments for years 2 through 5 would be, when most to this current young roster, reaches arbitration and free agency.

Actually, I was projecting $40 Million per year, 5 years, for Rendon. Add $18 million for Grandal and you have $58 Million, for the two of them. How much does that leave for another starter? Who knows? It all depends on what J. R. has authorized as a maximum payroll. If all of the commitments can be confined to 5 years, or less, that might be plausible. They have lots of financial flexibility now, until the young core reaches arbitration and then free agency. It would seem to me that this is the time to spend the money. If not now, then when?

In the spirit of extreme optimism, let's address the issue of where to play Moncada, if the Sox can acquire Rendon. Some have vehemently resisted the idea of moving him to a new position, yet again. If it's true that Moncada has already stated his willingness to play the OF, I really don't see the problem. Not only would it make room for both Rendon at third and Madrigal at second, but it would fill the hole in RF. Yoan has the speed and athleticism to become an outstanding defensive right fielder. He also has a good enough arm for the position. I have heard some concerns about his past issues with hamstrings, but I'm not qualified to comment on that factor. If the Sox could acquire Rendon, that would only leave one more regular position to fill. Signing either Moose, or Grandal to rotate between first, DH and catcher, would fill the need for a left handed bat and complete the roster, for position players. Therefore, I don't agree with the suggestion of moving Moncada back to second. Madrigal will likely be a Gold Glove caliber defender, as soon as he joins the team and even if he were to start slowly, as a hitter, the Sox could easily hide his bat, with all of that thunder in the line up. That would leave the rotation, as the only remaining need for at least one more addition.

I hear you and who could blame you? However, remember what Tennyson said; "It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved, at all". Hope, anticipation and expectations are all part of the joy of being a fan. Why not dream big, and enjoy it? Rendon as the center piece of a fantastic off season would surely put the South Side in the spotlight. Remember how we all talked about what signing Harper would have meant, for fan interest and national recognition? That effect would be much greater now, that so many pieces of the core have emerged as legitimate stars. We're no longer just talking about an outstanding farm system. Add Rendon to T. A., Moncada, Jimenez, Abreu, Robert, Giolito, Kopech, Cease and whoever they sign for the rotation, and you have an exciting, star studded roster.

Thank you for clarifying the intent of my comment. Of course, non of us has first hand information about these players, but Machado's numerous antics did not portray him in a very favorable light. By contrast, Rendon enjoys the reputation of being a very likeable player, as well as a good teammate. I never warmed up to Machado, as the potential "face of the franchise". I'm a little old fashioned, but I enjoy rooting for players, whom I "like," as people. Even though I don't personally know any of them, I can relate positively to their public personas. A personable young man, such as Eloy, is an easy player to root for. Manny Machado.....not so much. Perhaps a better test, is how one feels about them, when they are struggling. I feel much more empathy for a slumping player, if I like him, than I would for a guy, for whom I really don't care much. I understand that some fans really don't care and consider all of the players merely fungible pieces of the team. I've been a fan for a long time, going back to the mid 50's. Players tended to stay with the same team for much longer, back in the "reserve clause" era, before free agency. I grew up with an emotional attachment to guys like Jim Rivera, Nellie Fox and Louis Aparicio. It's a very subjective thing, but for me, it makes following the Sox more enjoyable. When you have to endure so many losing seasons, it helps when you like the players, as people. I'm the kind of fan, who would say to the prospect of the Bears acquiring Antonio Brown; "I don't care how good he is, I don't want that creep on my team". That's just me.

The fact that Rendon seems more interested in a shorter contract, could be a significant advantage here. We often talk about player opt outs, and how they can actually be advantageous, for management, as well as the player. Offering Rendon 5 years $200 million, is comparable to giving a player a longer contract, with an opt out, after 5 years. Such contracts are usually front end loaded, and $40 Million per year, is a number that would be commensurate with such a contract, for a Super Star. It might actually be better to pay him $200 Million for 5 years, than to give him a bigger and longer deal, with an opt out after 5 years. Such a contract would provide cost certainty and avoid the potential for having to pay for years of declining production. $200 Million seems preferable to the $300 Million given to Machado.

If the Sox can get Rendon, I'll consider it a blessing that Machado went to San Diego. Rendon is a better player and seemingly, a better person.

Of course, but we all know that anything can happen in the post season. I'm more confident is stating that such a roster would top the Division.

Rendon for 5 years, at $200 Million should be more appealing to the Sox, than the 8 year, $250 Million, which they offered Machado. If he would take that, one would hope that the Sox would make the offer. I understand that Moncada already offered to play the OF. Put him in RF, Madrigal at second and sign a left handed bat, such as Moose, or Grandal and the offense would be ready to contend. Then, sign Rendon's teammate, Strasburg and a reliever, to complete the division winning roster.

I would not even consider a trade of Lopez for Mazara.

Do you guys think that Mitch played well enough to buy some more time for his tenure as the Bears' QB? There aren't really any other options, so barring a trade, it would have to be Daniel. However, it seems that given the short leash that Trubisky likely has, I'm hoping that he shows enough to give us some hope that he could still be the guy, going forward.

Why put the only 2 LH hitters, back to back? Why not switch Grandal and Eloy, in order to space them a little bit apart? You might even move another RH hitter after Eloy, before inserting Grandal. That OF defense troubles me, with both corners filled with weak defenders. Robert has the speed to patrol a lot of ground, but having to cover for both corners is a challenge.

That list is fine, but I'd replace Calhoun with a reliever. With the addition of Grandal and Moustakas, they could get by with almost anyone in RF, who could at least provide solid defence. As I stated in another thread, they don't need a good hitter at every spot in the lineup. I'd be ok with Leury, or even Engel, in RF, batting 9TH.