Lillian

Yes, that suggestion was disturbing. But then, what the Hell do these hacks know about the Sox? Their world is the Yankees and the rest of baseball probably just doesn't count for anything, in their estimation. Geez, if the Sox aren't "winners for 3 or 4 more years," the rebuild will have failed. What great prospects do we have, who are 4 to 5 years away from being MLB contributors?

The female commentator suggested that the Sox would agree to let him play SS. As we've all speculated, he probably doesn't really care and that was just a ploy to increase his value, going in to his FA year. However, I hope that the Sox would not acquiesce to any demand to play SS. That would greatly reduce his value. He's a Gold Glove third baseman and a below average SS. I know that we've beaten that dead horse, but it's worth reiterating.

I was merely referring to when it might be announced.

The notion has been posited that the Sox may be waiting to have a press conference, with 3, or more of the acquisitions, particularly the "Tres Amigos". One would have to think that SoxFest would figure into the equation, as well. If such a plan exists, when would the optimum time be, to announce a Machado deal and hold a joint press conference?

One would have to think that there has been some communication between Sox management and the Machado camp, on this matter of signing Manny's friends. Of course, we have no idea what the nature of that communication is. Wouldn't we all love to know? The signings have been spaced far enough apart, that there must have been some discussion of this tactic, between the two camps.

Let me go on the record, stating that if Jay's OBP ends up being .313, or anywhere near that Steamer projection, then I will be disappointed, as that is his best offensive tool. If I believed that was the most likely kind of production to be expected from him, I would rather play Engel, because of the upside potential.

My point was simply to reiterate that OBP is the more relevant stat for a #2 hitter. OPS is weighted heavily by the Slugging %. Since Madrigal is likely not going to ever put up a big SLG %, he is not going to have a high OPS. Nevertheless, he could turn out to be a prototypical #2 hitter, providing he can get on base, at a good rate.

I disagree. It is not "nuts" to bat Jay second. He has hit there for a great portion of his career. "Caulfield" suggested that those extra at bats, at the top of the order, should go to Jimenez, Palka or Anderson. The problem is that none of those guys profile as a #2 hitter. The objective is to get some men on base, for the middle of the order to drive them in. Jimenez and Palka are those kind of hitters RBI guys. Anderson could be a great leadoff hitter, if he could get on base, but he doesn't. If they sign Machado, based on the logic that you want the better hitter to bat 2ND, I assume that you would want to hit him there. Unfortunately, he wouldn't drive in many runs, hitting in the two hole. I suspect that he would not be very happy hitting there, and one could not blame him.

Precisely. I agree.

Well, if you don't subscribe to that line of thinking, you are likely to be pretty disappointed in Madrigal. A player needs a lofty Slugging %, in order to have a high OPS.

Again, OPS is not that relevant for a #2 hole hitter. Focus on OBP: 2018 OBP: Engel .275 vs. Jay .330 Moreover, Jay had a decent first half, with the Royals, in our division, before being traded. He hit .277 with a .346 in the first half, and had very limited playing time, in the second half, when his numbers fell, dramatically. Put another way, would you even dream of batting Engel in the 2 hole?

He has made 2 errors, in the last 4 seasons. I don't know how much his range his diminished, but that is a pretty steady glove.

Frankly, I had been thinking that, even with Machado, or Harper, the #2 hole, in the lineup, was a hole that would need to be filled, with a decent OBP hitter. That, coupled with the complete lack of offensive production from Engel, although you know I love his defense, made me consider acquiring either Pollock or Jay, for a centerfield placeholder, while Robert develops. I think this move is just fine, for a short term solution. Whoever plays CF this year, is going to have to be a plus defender, given the anticipated weak defense in the outfield corners. Even if they signed Harper, that problematic outfield defense would be an issue. Jay gives the Sox a competent defensive centerfielder and potentially fills the # 2 spot in the order, which was indeed a "hole". OPS is not that relevant, for the #2 hitter, as it is weighted heavily toward Slugging %. It is On Base % that makes a good #2 hitter.

Here are Jay's Career stats, in various spots, in the batting order: I Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ Batting 1st 340 332 1559 1403 204 386 75 12 9 113 17 13 92 265 .275 .338 .365 .703 512 20 44 12 7 3 16 .332 93 Batting 2nd 260 241 1068 947 160 281 41 8 9 78 19 10 70 177 .297 .359 .385 .745 365 24 24 24 3 0 10 .356 104 Batting 3rd 12 1 13 12 2 3 2 0 1 6 0 0 0 1 .250 .308 .667 .974 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 .200 164 Batting 4th 8 1 14 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 .083 .214 .083 .298 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .111 -17 Batting 5th 38 23 104 96 12 34 6 2 3 16 1 2 6 20 .354 .388 .552 .940 53 0 0 1 1 0 3 .419 156 Batting 6th 98 85 361 319 38 84 14 0 5 41 4 0 26 51 .263 .331 .354 .685 113 11 9 1 6 5 3 .294 88 Batting 7th 118 102 417 376 27 108 17 0 5 35 8 5 28 59 .287 .346 .372 .719 140 18 7 4 2 5 4 .328 97 Batting 8th 109 67 301 256 35 77 12 1 1 17 4 3 27 56 .301 .389 .367 .756 94 8 12 3 3 9 4 .376 108 Batting 9th 148 22 225 188 35 56 9 2 3 21 2 0 23 40 .298 .400 .415 .815 78 8 9 5 0 0 2 .366 123 Given his age, he is not likely to match his career stats, but anywhere around a .340, or higher OBP is fine for a 2 hole hitter. I still like Moncada as a leadoff hitter, given his speed. Jay profiles just fine as a #2, followed by the heart of the order. Hopefully, that would include Machado and, or Harper.

How do you think the player's agent would feel about such a contract? What is most advantageous for him?

Each successive Machado thread seems to degenerate into increasingly weird and inane discussions. Some of you have really "lost it," I'm afraid.

This report provides some insight and hope for him to return to form: http://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2019/01/forget-kimbrel-sign-kelvin-herrera

It's hard to imagine that they would put him on the roster, with the expectation that he won't be able to pitch until 2020, if that's the case.

Is that Sox offer confirmed? I thought that was just speculation, by some of the reporters, who said that the Sox offer is "closer to $200 million". If that is true, I would guess $210 million, which would be $30 Million per year, for the 7 years. That's where the opt out could make the difference. If the Sox offered $35 million per year, for the first 5 years, with an opt out, after the 5TH year, and $25 Million, for each of the last 2 years, that might be enough to entice him to the South Side. If the Yankees have a $30 million per year offer, on the table, the Sox are probably going to have to go to approximately $35 million per year, at least for the first 5 years, in order to move the needle.

Here was his scouting report, back in 2015, when he was with the Yankees: Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 50 The Yankees didn't have a first-round pick in 2014, but they may have gotten a first-round talent with their top choice (second round, 55th overall). Lindgren helped pitch Mississippi State to the College World Series as a starter in 2013, then became one of college baseball's most dominant relievers last spring. He reached Yankee Stadium 11 months after signing, though his first full pro season got put on hold when he had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow in June. Lindgren's stuff jumped when he started working in shorter stints. His fastball improved from 87-91 mph to 91-95, and his slider became a legitimate knockout pitch at 82-84 mph with late bite. When hitters manage to make contact against him they have difficulty keeping the ball off the ground, which is why he surrendered just two extra-base hits between college and pro ball last year. Lindgren's sinking changeup gives him a decent third pitch that he doesn't need much now that he's not a starter. His control wavers at times, but once he shows he can throw strikes consistently, he could become the Yankees' closer of the future. He was a strike out machine, in his Jr. year at Mississippi State, striking out 100 batters in 55 innings. His Minor League totals were just as good, with 48 strike outs, in just 24 innings. Two TJ surgeries and a bone spur in his left elbow, for which he had surgery, are a lot, from which to come back. However if he's healthy, he could be a useful LH bullpen arm. I'll be rooting for him.

It would be interesting to hear your views on the issue of Machado playing SS. For my part, if he is insisting on that, his value would be significantly diminished. I wouldn't be in favor of paying him the kind of money being suggested, to play anywhere but 3B. I understand that his previous stance on wanting to play SS was likely more about increasing his value. However, at this point, he can maximize his value by agreeing to play where an interested team prefers that he play.

For me, if Madrigal cannot put up an OBP above .350, given his lack of power, he will not be a sufficiently productive player. I expect him to ultimately produce somewhere around Yolmer's 2018 stat line, with a higher OBP and fewer strike outs.

I agree and if that were the case, the Sox should be begging for an opt out clause, and then praying that someone offers even more after 5 years. $50 Million for his age 32 and 33 years would be imprudent, at best.

I guess that Levine and McGuffey could both be right, but the Sox could still be in this, as long as they're willing to offer $50 million per year, for 7 years. Ouch!!

It's hard to understand why the Yankees would commit a huge amount of money to another bat. They already have plenty of offense. They need pitching, which is still, along with the rest of the defense, 80% of the game. Cashman knows that. New York's front office is probably just trying to take advantage of Machado's infatuation with the Yankees, in an attempt to get him at a discount. If the Sox are really prepared to spend the money, I think that they can entice him to give up his Yankee dream. I also think that his wife, brother-in-law and agents would all be pushing him to take the bigger payday and forget about being a Yankee. I still like the front loaded contract, with an opt out, at around year 5. If they get Machado, I hope that the Sox use whatever else they plan on spending, on pitching. Again, it's much more important and is what wins championships. Spend the money on the starting rotation and the bullpen.