caulfield12

Agreed, would much rather invest 3/$40-50 million into Grandal than 50% more for Ozuna...at a less critical position. Not to mention there's nothing in our system after Collins, and Zavala/Mercedes just aren't realistic options at this point. In RF, we still have multiple possibilities of getting 2-3 fWAR production on the cheap from Walker/Adolfo/Rutherford. Being solid up the middle (C/SS/2B/CF) is a HUGE advantage, and we're almost there. Anderson's going to have to shore up his sloppiness and concentration errors, but having Madrigal around will really benefit him, IMO.

#metoorevenge Really thought with the long layoff that the Astros were going to take it to them....but Cole and Verlander have been so good for so long (I think Cole had a stretch of dominance dating back until May) that you could just start to feel the stuff hasn't been as crisp with Justin the last 2-3 times out. Not surprising with that many miles on his arm. Heck, 4-5 years ago...it looked like his career was trending in the same direction as King Felix in Seattle, and that his Tigers' contract was basically unmovable. Cole looked fine physically, he was just missing with his locations.

Why would he be moving over to the radio side? For Ed Farmer? That would be a HUGE cut in pay.

Why would he be moving over to the radio side?

The only other "top" option in the next cycle or two is likely to be Realmuto, unless you're willing to take a chance on Sal Perez at this stage in his career. There just aren't that many true two-way threats anymore.

It works if 2 of 3 can hit...making the other useful off the bench in late innings, and the 3rd as a defensive replacement. Of course, the big question is whether Collins can actually hit well enough at the big league level to justify his existence.

There's too much risk of an overpay if you're going beyond three years...considering his age and the second half of his 2019 season.

Considering the danger of not getting Grandal if they cut loose McCann and instead getting stuck with Collins catching 120 games...a disaster of unmitigated proportions or a boon to fans of Nick Hostetler’s talent evaluation process.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/2020-21-mlb-free-agents.html Springer, Betts, Pederson, Peralta, Brantley

Did you change your former member name from HI?

Don't forget Walker, Luis Gonzalez and Basabe...it would be pretty pathetic if we couldn't at least develop ONE 2 fWAR outfielder internally. Wouldn't be much TOO much to expect of the Chris Getz Regime, would it?

As soon as we start projecting improvement across the board....reasonable in many cases, we immediately have to start wondering if McCann and Giolito, in particular, will repeat their 2019 performances. Nova, by fWAR was the sixth most valuable member of the team, he has to be replaced in a non-Covey/Banuelos/Detwiler/Santiago manner. Bummer is another one, not to mention Colome's shakier second half.

Moustakas because he can cover three infield positions, DH and potentially even a corner OF spot in an emergency. And left-handed...another need.

Not sure luck factors much into it with the Astros since detecting Aiken’s injury...haven’t made many mistakes.

Yordan Alvarez?

Anything over $80 million for Ozuna...in the words of our intrepid reporter Mr. Gomez, "no bueno!"

But when in the last decade was there MORE pressure on BOTH organizations to win, simultaneously? For the Yankees, it has been a decade since their last World Series win. For the Dodgers, Kershaw's best years are behind him and they've been in the post-season seven consecutive seasons without a trophy, which goes back over three decades for that most historic of franchises.

Do the LaRoche's come along as part of a package deal, along with the Tattered Sale Jersey giveaway night?

The Lux/Verdugo/May (probably taking on Turner's or Jensen's salary) for Moncada deal has been bandied about...at SoxTalk. The problem is that while the latter two look to be solid players, you're betting on Lux to be a superstar to really make it worthwhile. Then you're without a 3B again in a year or two...and Burger's not exactly next in line for the spot. Once again, you're having to move someone (Anderson or Lux) to 3B to fill yet another hole that just popped up. I would say...just go out and sign Rendon, but this is the White Sox we're talking about, after all.

They have the skill to talk a big game and SOUND from a PR standpoint like they actually know what they're doing. Maybe it's a carryover from the Buddy Bell days, when he convinced the Sox to acquire his favorite from KC in Teahen.

With our luck, it would be like this trade... On July 7th, 2008, the Brewers acquired Cleveland Indians ace, CC Sabathia for “future superstar” prospect Matt LaPorta, pitcher Zack Jackson, pitcher Rob Bryson and throw-in center fielder, Michael Brantley. Of course, the irony is that the 3rd/4th guy (not likely in the Sale or Q deals) became the stud of the trade and led them to numerous playoffs. Nevertheless, you have to get TWO quality players out of those trades (think the Colon trade with Montreal, or Teixeira to ATL, the Baines trade to the Rangers, the six player White Flag trade, Cain/Escobar/Odorizzi for Greinke, etc.)

See Kenny Rogers in 2003 and Jim Thome in 2010. All other things being equal...if you lose out on your main targets and you're looking at Odorizzi (without the QO), then you have to strongly consider it. It's not like we shouldn't have plenty of scouting insight and Don Cooper-isms on Jake, Gibson, Pineda and Martin Perez...after facing them so often.

See 2003, Rogers to Twins and not Sox, or 2010, Thome to Twins.

Can the D-Backs afford to punt on this season?

Okay, let's close this thread. Someone doesn't like SPECULATION...heaven forbid, it's a message board. So we should only talk about something that's officially sourced...wait, no, even with a source online, which could be pretty much any random millennial in his mom's basement these days, which means we can then spend lots of time attacking the source/writer if we don't like them or accept their viewpoints. If the Yankees and Dodgers don't do something major, especially with the Red Sox and Cubs retrenching/retooling...then their fanbases aren't going to be happy. Baseball is a business. You can't keep raising ticket prices 10-15% every offseason and promising a World Series title without ever delivering one to those two markets.