almagest

I had to stop listening to the Soxtalk podcast. They recognize the same problems we do but their solutions are almost always meatball level. Justin Turner is 39 next year and is due to fall off a cliff any second. In fact, he would almost CERTAINLY crater once signed by the Sox because that's what happens to this team. Even if he's good there's no way you can trust him for more than a year, and then you're right back where you were. It'd be smarter to keep Eloy for one more season and see what he can do - Turner posted 2.1 bWAR last year so it's not like you need some amazing performance from Eloy to get to the same level, and Eloy has potential upside that Turner just doesn't at this point of his career. I also laugh about replacing Elvis with Merrifield. They're almost the same player with hitting, but Merrifield plays left field instead of shortstop.

There are definitely some people who like/want him.

I also don't get the desire to get Merrifield. He's not good. They'd be better off giving Sosa a shot.

Oh man I forgot all about pitching. Best options to me (they ain't getting any of the non-reclamation guys, but this is what I would like). Go for 3 of the following for SP: Aaron Nola Sonny Gray Blake Snell Jordan Montgomery Montas/Giolito/Flaherty as your reclamation projects RP I would mostly roll the dice with in-house options. Maybe pick up a few anchor types: Reylo Ryne Stanek Shintaro Fujinami (if you can help his control) Phil Maton Jordan Hicks

You're right. The drop off to Merrifield as the second best option is pretty steep, though.

The FA list ain't great. This is about the best I can come up with: SS - TA option 2B - Jorge Polanco RF - Teoscar Hernandez + Jesse Winker platoon C - Mitch Garver for offense or Martin Maldonado for working with pitchers Run back Moncada, Eloy, Benintendi, Robert, Vaughn

I am very much enjoying watching Baltimore's pitching melt down.

Angling for a contract from the Astros, eh Lucas?

Hell of a finish to the Phillies/Braves game. Kind of don't blame Harper for gambling and being aggressive but that was a colossal mistake. Meanwhile, Dodgers pitching looks terrible.

Orioles pitching getting hammered.

Boy I bet the Phillies are mad they spent all that money on Bryce Harper! Oh, wait...

Jays didn't come to play either.

Tampa just doesn't look like a playoff team. 0 runs in their last THIRTY postseason innings.

I just can't look past that last drive and the Broncos being so bad on defense.

Yeah I'm not at all saying Fields is the main reason they lost. It was a complete team effort. What I'm saying is I think that even with a competent team and coaching staff he won't be enough to get them playoff wins.

As soon as Denver adjusted Fields had nothing, though. The first half was fool's gold.

Maybe. It's hard to say. I just think he's not that good - maybe a system that leverages his strengths more would help but he holds the ball SO DAMN LONG when the pressure is on.

Man, what a complete team failure. They should've never been in that situation but Fields blew that last drive and I'm 100% out on him now. The Bears cleared the way for him to pass them to victory against the worst defense in the NFL and he couldn't do it. I was nervous the good stats against the Broncos was just how bad they were and I was right.

Cubs down 4-1 to the Braves early. Playing their way out of the playoffs.

He’s been pretty good over his last couple starts, especially in limiting the walks, but there is probably enough history here to assume he’ll continue to walk 5+ per 9.

Is Touki something maybe?

Hey they hit lefties real good 2 years ago!

He's been horrible. 100% people would think he doesn't care if he was still here and the team would be even worse than they are now.

This team is awful so it's no surprise games get out of hand and they look like they don't care. Get better players and that'll change.