JUSTgottaBELIEVE

So it’s Robert for Acuna/Seranthony/Hays effectively? I think the team is better both this season and beyond with that trio instead of Robert.

People have been saying that for several years and it’s never an issue. This roster still has a ton of holes. I’d rather have the veteran providing some sort of stability around the young position player group. If the young guys are good enough it won’t be a problem finding them playing time.

When you have no reliable/proven mlb outfielders at the moment of course it makes sense.

I’d prefer not to lock guys like Acuna and Meidroth down to one position just yet. I think they have much more value with defensive versatility. The nice thing about Bader is he can give you plus defense from all 3 OF spots.

That price is exactly what I expected. I said 2/$20M.

one year ago, posters like @Look at Ray Ray Run were saying the Sox could have none in the top 100 this winter. Looks like a solid system that’s about to get a whole lot stronger this summer too. And there’s finally some young talent at the MLB level again as well. Could be the makings of a solid young core ready to compete once Ishbia $ infusions commence in a few years.

If they feel comfortable about his health, Giolito checks many boxes on a 2 year contract.

Respectfully, I’ve been a lot more right about Robert than you over the past couple years so are you certain I’m not the objective one here?

High leverage arms ALWAYS trade for a premium in July. Position players barely worth their existing contracts do not. It’s not about their worth today, it’s about their worth at the trade deadline in 6 months.

If they add Giolito and Bader to what they’ve already done, I’m not sure I could ask for much more (understanding the financial constraints imposed by Jerry).

It’s highly likely that Domínguez has more trade value than Robert in 6 months.

Oh, you were talking about Newcomb. Yes, that’s what they’re saying because they have no one else right now. But if you sign Giolito or another vet he’s easy to bump to the pen.

Sure along with Pereira, Acuna, Hill, Baldwin, Kelenic, etc. Throw a bunch of these guys at the wall and see what sticks. Hope to find two mlb players out of em, even if they’re simply non-negative WAR players it would be a small win.

MJ on a minor league deal would be nice

Sure but the nice thing about adding a vet SP like Gio is you can bump Newcomb to the pen where I think he is best suited.

Option, not QO. Big difference as signing him wouldn’t cost the Sox a draft pick.

I’d be happy with Bader 2/$20M and Giolito 2/$30M to round out the offseason. Addresses two big holes and doesn’t block anyone in the near term. Both could also be future trade pieces if they perform well.

That has nothing to do with the comparison. If we’re comparing apples to apples, the alternative is as I described and that’s a superior option imo. Go sign Giolito.

In theory, the alternative is Acuna + another $19M player

I made this analogy a year ago, aka sunk cost fallacy

Bader and Robert are a wash and I assume Bader won’t cost $20M AAV so I’d rather have him over the next two seasons.

Funny enough, Acuna’s base running and defense appear to be elite. Obviously, it’s the bat you worry about. Sounds similar to Robert the last couple years but without the injuries. Robert clearly has more upside but the floor on Acuna might actually be higher, particularly since we know Robert can’t stay healthy.

Exactly right. If they spend the money and it’s Acuna + Giolito vs Robert + whatever scrub they throw out there as their #5 SP, I’m taking the former over the latter.

Might not make them better but does it make them worse? I don’t know. Robert has produced a combined 1.9 fWAR over the last two seasons. Acuna has produced 1.1 fWAR with far less playing time. Those two alone might be a wash in 2026. “If” the cost savings motivates them to sign a decent SP, which is sorely needed, overall they could end up being better in 2026 as a result of this trade.

Honestly, it’s better than nothing