Dick Allen

It's still pretty early in San Diego.

Dick Williams Jr., Reds GM was on MLB Network yesterday. He thinks once the top guys go , the market is going to come to a screeching halt.

OK pal.

Looks like even Heyman is calling BS on his mystery team.

I really don't know why the White Sox would want it out there, that they were the high bid for Lyles . Wheeler, OK, but Lyles?

Yeah, I see one or two, not a fan base.

Who is angry at him?

Do a shot every time Rick says coming weeks or coming months and you will be chewed in no time.

Supposedly Mike Shannon is expected to get it. Just put him in there. He's more than earned it.

Hahn didn't say anything different than what he told Bruce on Saturday. There is no way they aren't going to add a few more players this offseason. It just might not happen this week. Besides, you don't ever want to sound desperate to get something done. He has a talent for speaking for a while, making people think he gave them a lot of information, and in the end, didn't tell them much. One of the best at it I have ever heard. I know it's coming and I still fall for it and think he gave out some great info, for a few minutes almost every time.

RH should do some things this year. It's not going to get cheaper next season, and the free agent crop of pitching isn't exactly bountiful. Kicking the can down the road another year would make no sense. They do have a lot of question marks. Who knows how Robert will be as a rookie. Who knows if Madrigal will look like Yolmer at the plate with fewer strikeouts his rookie year. Who knows if Moncada and TA can have close to .400 BABIP again. Who knows if Giolito is now what we hope he is. Who knows if Lopez or Cease can develop into good starters. Who knows if Kopech will be the same guy. Who knows if Rodon will finally have injuries behind him and be the ace he was projected to be. But it's time to take the leap of faith and start adding or by the time you do have a good team, your guys are all going to be getting paid, and the window will close or you will have to trade them all for prospects and start the thing all over again.

JDM also has a limited NTC, that changes every year. There is an excellent chance the White Sox are on it this year, as well as a couple of other teams that could use a DH.

One thing that shocked me yesterday, Kaplan, who is at the meetings was told by an exec that the Cubs are way behind the times analyically. They are trying to catch up. I always assumed Theo was on the cutting edge.

Apparently you aren’t a home owner.

I don’t think the Sox are targeting any Boras guys.

Only 3 pm in SD. Frank Castillo has nothing to worry about. His info is solid. The announcement has to be imminent.

According to Amick and Hollinger in the Athletic, Boylen is still hated by the players.

Strasburg and Cole are Boras clients. Rosenthal said the Sox would do a buy it now price for Cole, I think he said $280 million, but didn’t want to bid for him, even if that bidding ultimately resulted in a lower number .I took it as they didn’t want to play Boras’ game. The same probably holds true for all his clients. So I would think the Sox targets are elsewhere.Just hope Rodon comes back as nails in August, because they will want to unload him next winter.

Pitchers affect games more than positive players.A guy that does what these guys have done 30 times a year for6 or 7 innings, will get you more wins than even most excellent every day players. Cole’s starts we’re basically automatic wins. Not only that they take pressure off the rest of your rotation knocking them down a rung, and give your bullpen a break. The teams winning the WS lately, have great starters.

You called the Phillies bluster after they sigNed Robertson, McCutchen, and Harper and traded for Realmuto and Segura.

It looks like many on this board still think Santa will be coming down their chimney. JR owns the team . Probably is a better source than a nobody in the DR.

Yeah, I don't get it either. JR pretty much put a fork in Ozuna at all let alone still today.

Morosi isn't exactly known for accuracy. If JR denies it how does it suddenly become true? I would say Uzuna to the Sox is now a 0% possibility.

It is interesting Steve Stone was talking up MadBum on twitter, then suddenly goes to Keuchel. MadBum then supposedly wants 9 figures and Ryu is a Boras guy.

Yes. But if he reverts back, the team isn't married to him and could upgrade if they are contending. I will take Ozuna . It is certainly a huge upgrade to what has been out there the last few years. But he does has his red flags . But if his paycheck is going to mean going down a level or 2 with pitching targets, I would tell Marcell we will talk to you in February.