Lillian

Just to clarify: While I have been one of those clamouring for a right fielder, it is not because I believe that the roster lacks a player capable of playing RF. The issue is, as many of us have often expressed; the lineup needs better balance and RF is the only position currently open to insert a LH power bat. I would be very happy to have Engel play RF, even if he didn't provide a lot of offense. The problem is that he's another right handed hitter. The only way that this roster has a chance to achieve better balance, would be if Sheets can find a position to play and continue to hit RH pitching, like he did last season. That's taking a pretty big gamble, for a team with World Series aspirations. If they can sign, or trade for, a solid LH power bat, on a short term contract, that would be ideal. They seem very high on Colas and if he could be ready in a couple of years, that would solve the problem. In the meantime, it just doesn't seem plausible for this roster to have much post season success, versus tough RH pitchers. It would also help if Moncada could get back to being the guy he was in 2019. Without his power, this current lineup has one serious LH run producer, in Grandal. That is simply not a good formula for success. It seems hard to believe that TLR and Hahn do not understand this obvious need and therefore I expect something to get done.

What's wrong with giving Conforto an opt out? Unless you consider him to be the long term answer for RF, an opt out should be acceptable. Why not give him 4 years, with an opt out, after 2 years? Colas takes over in 2024.

5 of Cincy's top 8 prospects are pitchers, therefore they might be willing to deal one, with just 2 years of control.

However, since we are talking about one of Cincy's starting pitchers, plus Naquin, what do you think it would take?

That was my thought, but what would it take for 1 year of Naquin and 2 years of Mahle? ,,,, Vaughn?

In addition to their pitchers, what about Tyler Naquin for RF? He will be a free agent, at the end of the year, so he shouldn't cost much in prospect capital. LH bat and decent right fielder.

Was Velasquez hurt in August? He not only missed August and the first half of September, but was terrible when he returned to the mound. His numbers were almost respectable, until then.

Did anyone notice that, last year with San Diego, he gave up 6 homers, in 12 and 2/3 innings? Ouch!!!

I hope so. However, in any case, won't he be taking up a 40 man roster spot?

WHIP last year was 1.50 and his career WHIP is 1.39 Why are they giving up a roster spot for such a below average pitcher? If he sees any significant innings at the Major League level, that would not bode well for the Sox.

Perhaps the Sox should not be overly apprehensive about giving Conforto a year, or two, more than they had planned. Even six years would only take him through his age 34 season. That would not be paying for a player who is way beyond his prime. Given these escalating salaries, maybe the money they have to give a player 6 years from now, might become relatively less than we now think. I continue to believe that the hole on this current roster is the lack of sufficient offense against RHP. If the Sox can fill that need with Conforto, who plays second base becomes much less important. He could even be a guy who provides good defense and merely not be a black hole at the 9TH spot in the order. Segura would be fine, and if he helps unload Kimbrel, with no more than a one year commitment, I wouldn't complain. Segura actually profiles as a pretty decent hitter for a second baseman, even if $14.25 million is an overpay.

I agree completely with that statement. What is the point of playing 162 games, when so many mediocre teams can qualify for the Post Season? Any team can win a short series in baseball, which makes a World Series victory a lot less meaningful, with so many teams qualifying.

If there were a pitcher, for whom 3 years, at $43 million per year, were justified, I'd be disappointed that Sox ownership didn't want to aggressively pursue him. However, a 38 year old is not that guy, and I can't complain because Reinsdorf is not that reckless. Again, I'd much rather place a risky bet on Rodon, at a much lower cost, than on a pitcher, Max's age.

The Mets should have gotten the opt-out, and not just after the second year. That would have been the only way that this deal could make sense, for them.

Are you as glad, as I am, that they didn't?

Any expensive, long term contract for a pitcher is risky, but this deal is just nuts. Perhaps the moniker "Mad" is on the wrong entity. "Mad Mets" sounds more appropriate. "Mad" as in crazy. That kind of money is hard to justify, even for the best pitcher in baseball, which is highly unlikely to be the case, in Scherzer's age 40 season. How many pitchers, in the history of the game, have been the best in baseball, at age 40? Anything is possible, but the Mets are making a very bad bet.

Three years, at $43 million a year, for a guy who will turn 38 in July. That is an expenditure that this Sox fan is glad that our team's front office and ownership did not make. It makes gambling on Rodon seem like a low risk move, by comparison. I hope that they resign Carlos, perhaps for 3 or 4 years. Then let's see which contract looks better in 3 years.

Looking at the Game Logs, from last season, Gausman was dominant during the first 3 months. His second half was not nearly as good, and he gave up 4 earned runs in two consecutive starts, both against the Padres. The long ball hurt him in the last month. Does anyone know to what his second half decline might be attributed?

Not only would I like it, but it's pretty close to what I have been thinking. I would prefer Sheets, over Vaughn, vs. RHP and Anderson hitting 2ND, but otherwise the lineup looks good to me. Alvarado has serious control issues which have caused his WHIP to be north of 1.60 in each of the last 3 seasons, averaging well over 7 BB's per 9 innings. I don't think he can be counted on, so I agree that the Sox would still need another arm for the pen.

He also hit a batter and then gave up a grand slam

Looking at the "Game Logs" from last year, he was pretty much lights out, with the exception of his first relief appearance against his former team, after being traded. The Mariners lit him up for 4 earned runs, in just 1/3 of an inning. He only gave up 2 hits and a walk, so someone probably homered off him, in that game. Other than that, he had a very impressive year.

That has been and remains my thought. Tony has always asserted that he wants to own the last 3 innings. Hard to argue with that philosophy.

I agree, totally. Schwarber was a beast versus RHP, with an OPS of .990, 200 points higher than versus LH pitching. However, as we all know, the problem with Schwarber is that he's not suitable for the OF and the Sox have too many first base, DH types. I've already stated my preference for Conforto, to fill the void in RF, while adding LH power.

I don't know how you mention Conforto, Schwarber and frickin' Joc Pederson, in the same breath. Aside from the fact that they all bat left handed, they don't have much in common.

That would be very unlikely, unless the Sox paid a significant portion of Kimbrel's salary.