Lillian

If McDaniel is correct, that validates my assessment that Wheeler is not a top of the rotation starter. Doesn't $17 Million per year suggest that he is merely a #3? The issue should be more about finding a pitcher, or two, who can be difference makers and Wheeler doesn't seem to qualify.

I agree that Cole is not at all realistic. However, if the second best free agent pitcher is also not feasible, then I'd pass on acquiring a free agent pitcher and just hope that the youngsters reach their potential. I can't get excited about adding an arm from the second tier of this free agent class. The Sox have enough candidates for middle rotation arms, which might develop into top of the rotation quality pitchers. I don't see Wheeler as a good bet to be an Ace, or a #2.

Wheeler's 2019 numbers against LH hitters were very pedestrian: AVG .275 OBP .341 SLG .434 He was better in 2018, against LH hitters, but prior to that, he was worse. Good luck when facing division rival, LH hitters such as Lindor, Ramirez, Santana, or Kepler, Polanco and Rosario. I just don't see the point in adding another middle of the rotation starter, or even a #2. Get an Ace, or don't bother wasting the money. If Wheeler would cost $18 to 20 million a year, and Strasburg would cost $30 million per year, I know which one I'd prefer, if I'm serious about contending.

The more I think about it, the more I'm persuaded that the Sox should try to sign one of the two Aces. Pitching is still what wins championships. Signing one of the second tier arms just isn't going to get the Sox to a seriously competitive level. Even if they should make it into the post season, they would need 3 top tier starters. They already have a bunch of guys who have a good chance to be #2, or #3 starters. Kopech, Cease and even Lopez may very well qualify as legitimate #2, or 3 arms. Rodon can't really be considered in that mix, as he is likely to miss at least the first half of the season and then will be a free agent in 2022. They may have one Ace, if Giolito can repeat, but that is not enough. If they can sign one of the two free agent aces, they would have their #1 and 2. If one of Kopech or Cease becomes a top of the rotation level pitcher, they would have a very formidable staff. In that scenario, you could reasonably hope for the other one, of those two, to fill out the bottom of the rotation, with Lopez. And, if they should be fortunate enough to have all of them develop into number 2 level quality starters, or better, they would have a championship staff, as well as some depth. They have the money, and are really not going to have to spend much on the starting rotation, for a couple more years. Adding guys like Odorizzi, Wheeler, Bumgarner pretty much just ensures mediocrity. None of those guys are Aces, which means that you would need both Kopech and Cease to become top tier starters, in order to have your big 3, for the post season. I like the prospects of all of them to reach their potential, including Lopez, but it's pretty hard to count on that. As risky as it is to spend money on pitchers, that is probably what it will take to get this team to the level of serious contenders.

Would you want to front load the contracts, and what kind of opt out would you grant? Which teams would be the biggest competition and how much do you think that they would offer? Which of the two, would you prefer, given the contracts, which you propose?

Do you really think that he would accept offers like that? Jeff Passan is suggesting that he will be looking for a minimum of 6 years and $175 Million. If it took 6 years and $180 Million, that might be intriguing, especially if it were front loaded, with an opt out. I wonder if there are really 2 teams, willing to spend as much money on an arm, as will likely be required to sign both of the top free agent pitchers. The fact that Cole will likely get insane money, from his home state Angels, or Dodgers, might help make it feasible to get Strasburg, unless there is another team in the running, at these astronomical rates. I don't want to get my hopes up, and both may land on the West Coast. Nevertheless, it just might be a good thing that there are two elite arms, in this free agent class.

I agree. When I heard them try to argue that their suggested 8 year, $310 Million was a relatively "safe risk," I just shook my head. $37.5 Million per year, betting on a pitcher's arm, for 8 years, is far from a "safe risk". Again, listening to those clowns was a waste of time. Oh, and I should add that they were advocating a front end loaded contract, at $50 Million per year, for the first 4 years and a player opt out.

I just finished listening to last week's Podcast, on NBC Chicago Sports website, discussing whether, or not, the Sox could/should try to acquire Cole. The discussions on this board are much more intelligent than what I just heard. I don't know how those guys have that job, but it's embarrassing. "Yeah, I think the Sox should offer Cole 8 years, $310 Million. It's a pretty safe risk". Well, that's 30 minutes, I'll never get back.

I like that roster, for next year. The concern is that Moustakas will require a multiyear contract and, in 2021, with Vaughn at first and Abreu at DH, where would Moose fit? I suppose they could always try to trade him, providing the contract is reasonable. In any case, your suggestion is well thought out and would represent a significant improvement over last year's team.

If they acquire Grandal, Gardner would be ok, on a short term contract. Works for me, if they spend the money on pitching. Moreover, if they let Grandal catch, with McCann, there would still be room to sign a veteran, such as Encarnacion, to a short term contract, to DH. Of course, that leaves Abreu with a lot of playing time at first, and dramatically reduces playing time for Collins.

You're right. Pederson is also terrible against LH pitching, and should probably be platooned, as well. I'm sorry, but Gardner just doesn't inspire me, because he doesn't have the power to hit in the heart of the order. I don't trust last year's home run totals, which could be an outlier.

Yes, of course there are some great players, however I was referring specifically to the RF hole, and an effort to fill it with a middle of the order, LH bat.

As I stated, Calhoun has been awful, against LH pitching, so he would have to be platooned. Reddick offers little power, for a guy who has put up sub par OBP, the last couple of seasons. I'm just not intrigued by either player. All just more evidence of how few LH power bats there are, out there. Very frustrating. The Sox have the money to spend, and no one to spend it on.

That is a valid point. The problem is that there just aren't any good left handed, right fielders, in this year's free agent class. You know me, I'm dead set on finding some lineup balance, with the 2 open spots, in our offense. If they sign Grandal, I suppose that they could try to get buy, until 2021, as you suggest.

The Dodgers have their 3 outfielders in Verdugo, Bellinger and Pollock. Pederson is expendable. What do you expect that he will get, in his final year of arbitration?

I also like Moustakas, but he really should be at 3RD. If he plays any other position, he's probably more suitable to become a first baseman. He really isn't suited for 2ND, although he played there all last season. I'm just not ready to move Moncada off of 3RD.

"Caulfield", I would be ok with Fry, Fulmer and someone like Walker, but not Bummer. If that wouldn't get it done, for one year of Pederson, then I'd pass.

As much as I would love J. D. Martinez's bat, it's hard to see how he fits, beyond 2020, if they resign Abreu. Vaughn will be at first base, by 2021 and Abreu is the DH. With the imminent arrival of 3 young impact players, Robert, Madrigal and Vaughn, it would seem prudent to exercise a little patience, until the Sox can better determine what they will need, in 2021. Nevertheless, they do need a LH presence, in the heavily weighted RH lineup. One question is; Would Grandal represent a defensive upgrade, at first base, over Abreu? If so, I like giving him playing time at first and sharing the catching with McCann and Collins, in 2020. If Collins establishes himself, then it would not be necessary to resign McCann, as Collins and Grandal could share the catching duties in 2021, once Vaughn arrives. Right field is an issue, but not without several potential organizational solutions, starting in 2021. 4 of our top prospects are all candidates to fill the hole in RF and 3 of them bat left handed. If neither Adolfo, Rutherford, Basabe or Walker demonstrate their ability to take that roster spot, then perhaps Mookie Betts could be the answer. If Boston doesn't extend him, he will be a free agent, following this season. He might be worth waiting for, while keeping some financial flexibility for such a move. I certainly prefer him, over JDM, because of his age and ability to play defense. There is also the possibility of a trade for Joc Pederson, or signing Dickerson, or Calhoun. Pederson is my favorite, of the 3, because he is a genuine middle of the order, left handed power bat, especially against RH pitching. The fact that he would come with just one more year of control is not really a negative, as that would buy time to see if one of our prospects emerges as a viable right field option. The front office would not have to make a big financial commitment, even though he is arbitration eligible, for this year. If he could be acquired, without giving up any key, core players, he would be my choice. Over the last 3 years, Calhoun has been awful against LH pitching, and therefore is really a platoon candidate. The question with Dickerson is whether, or not, he has the arm to play RF. While I don't expect it to happen, my real preference would be to trade for Pederson and sign Grandal. Pederson would hold down RF for one year, while Grandal and Collins split time between catcher and first base. Abreu becomes the full time DH, while providing depth at first base, in case of an injury. 2020 2B Madrigal SS Anderson LF Eloy 3B Moncada LH DH Abreu RF Pederson LH CF Robert (eventually bats much higher in the order) 1B Grandal LH/Collins LH C McCann/Grandal LH/Collins LH 2021 Once Vaughn arrives, Grandal moves to primary catcher and, if Collins establishes himself as a Major League catcher, McCann is not resigned: 2B Madrigal SS Anderson LF Eloy 3B Moncada LH CF Robert DH Abreu C Grandal/Collins LH RF Adolfo/Rutherford/Basabe/Walker or Free Agent, hopefully Mookie Betts, who would bat in the heart of the order. 1B Vaughn (like Robert, moves up in the order, once established) Adding just Pederson and Grandal would leave lots of money to spend on pitching, while perhaps locking up Moncada, Giolito and Robert, with extensions. As for the pitching, I'd like 2 starters, a #1, or 2 and a #4, or 5. One more back end of the bullpen reliever should also be on the wish list.

The Japanese player, in whom I am most interested, is the one at the top of the list, which I provided. I mentioned that he suffered a terrible leg injury, this past Spring and I can't seem to find any information about his recovery, rehab or future. If anyone has any updates, I'd appreciate the info. In the meantime, here is a quote from an article, last year, in which he was discussed: Yuki Yanagita (OF, SoftBank Hawks) Age: 30 (He turns 31 next month - born Oct, 1988) The top performer in NPB in terms of wRC+ this past season with an unreal 207 mark, Yanagita is considered one of the biggest stars of the league and one that is a starting MLB caliber player. He slashed a dominant .352/.431/.661 in 2018 with 36 HRs and 21 SBs and supported it with a 19.1% strikeout rate and 11.3% walk rate over 550 PAs. Success isn’t foreign for Yanagita at the plate either as over his 7 full-time seasons, he’s got a.319 career batting average, a .420 career on-base%, posted double-digits in both HRs and SBs in each of the last 6 years, and notably was the 2015 Pacific League MVP. Yanagita reportedly has expressed MLB interest and could come as soon as next season when he’s eligible for International Free Agency, but do note that the Softbank Hawks have him under contract for another year after that which could mean a 2020 posting scenario or 2021 International Free agent signing. He’ll be on the back half of his baseball career at that point so we likely won’t get his best, still, his power/speed combo with his ability to hit and get on base should make him a desired target both for MLB teams and those in dynasty leagues!

Do you have a better suggestion? Dickerson or Calhoun don't look like the answer, to me.

There aren't really any suitable MLB free agents. However, there are a few Japanese players, who could fill the hole in RF and have stated intentions of coming to the U. S., in 2020. If he recovers from that awful leg injury, which he suffered this last Spring, Yuki Yanagita would be a very good fit. If not, then perhaps Shogo Akiyama, or Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. They are all left handed power bats, with very good OBP's, who play right field. Tsutsugo may not be a good enough defender to play RF, but the other two would be plus defenders.

The Reed situation is entirely different, not because he is left handed and Robert isn't. My argument about Reed was that, given his age and Minor League tenure, he was going to have to be on the 40 Man Roster, next year, or be exposed to a waiver claim. Moreover, he has already had a few years at AAA and has nothing left to prove there. He needs to be given Major League at bats, in order to determine whether, or not, he is worth keeping. Interesting to note that the front office agreed with that reasoning, which is why they changed their minds and brought him up. Regarding the length of time that I have argued that they could use a middle of the order left handed bat: Yes, it's been just about as long as they have not had one. I'll probably continue to hope that they find one, until they finally do. Reed is just the next guy up. If he doesn't work, they'll likely try someone else. Moncada is the only viable candidate, but hitting 4TH or 5TH probably isn't the ideal spot for him. Again, the front office seems to be on the same page, with me, regarding this issue. because they keep trying. In any case, it has nothing to do with Robert. They will decide when to bring him up, based upon the kinds of considerations, which have been discussed in this thread, and elsewhere. Many posters have raised valid points, and we all have to just hope that they have a sound plan.

I did not say one word about the left handed issue, in my post. You, Sir are the one who brought it up. Does this mean that every time I post something, that someone is going to try to remind everyone about my desire for better balance in the order? If that is the case, well so be it. However, it is ridiculous. Yes, I have a point of view, on the subject, as do you. However, that does not mean that it is the only subject, regarding the Sox, or baseball in general, about which I have thoughts and opinions. It's not very gratifying to be the subject of such unreasonable scrutiny. If I express an opinion about another topic, why should anyone, reply with "Yes, but it's because he isn't left handed"? Do you see how unintelligent that sounds?

For those who seem to think that being left handed is my only qualification for a hitter, let me put it this way: If Robert becomes Mike Trout, I would put him in whatever spot in the middle of the lineup, which would best fit. Now, would that eliminate the appropriateness of acquiring a middle of the order, left handed bat, to provide better balance to the lineup. The answer is no. You don't think that the front office agrees with that assertion? Why are they running one left handed bat, after another, through the organization? It's so obvious, that it's really not worth expending any more effort to clarify it. Dunn, La Roche, Palka, Alonso and now Reed. They are trying to fill that void. I am simply agreeing with the front office. If you don't agree, criticize them.

Oy, that again. Stop already.