almagest

But seriously - Happ is on track for about a 4 b/fWAR season, which is really nice, but he's around for two more years at most and he's going to get more expensive. He also doesn't have any track record to repeat this performance, and he sucks on defense. This trade would leave the Sox with a RF hole still, and it would trade away their heir apparent to that position. Someone like Burger would be a better fit for a Happ trade, I think. Cubs can play him every day at 3B/1B/DH, and I'd bet he'd be a solid contributor for them. Include a lower level arm (Kelly/Thompson/Dahlquist, for example) and I think you have a start.

From the comments: Which one of you is trolling over there?

No I'm going to drink heavily and hold onto the hope that Montgomery, Colas and Vera represent the next wave of Braves-like dominance for the Sox.

I'm kind of half there, because A) they won't sign him long-term so everyone leaves in 3 years and we're rebuilding again but likely without Sale/Quintana/Eaton level trades to kickstart it, and B) Soto is going to come here and hit .180 with 15 homers/162 because that's what happens with this team.

But we could get a spaceship sitting on top of a spaceship sitting on top of a terrible playing field!

Is that a true chase issue or is it an approach issue? Like if teams know the Sox go the other way it benefits them to shift that way and throw the ball off the corner where it's hard to make solid contact. You're also super vulnerable to outside sliders because it looks like the thing you want (outer third fastball) and then you either swing and miss or make bad contact. I would challenge them to not even swing at pitches outside until 2 strikes, and try to hammer anything they can pull reliably. Reset some of those scouting reports - Eloy's two pulled homers against Cleveland were a welcome sight. He got hangers and hammered them.

Verdugo is pretty bad this year (no power) but was solid for ~200 games for Boston. Wonder if he's a victim of the ball? He's worth a buy low shot right now but I wouldn't want to give up anything of value for him. Also not sure he can play right field.

AA is a big test and he's passing with flying colors so far. Let's see how he does when he hits a slump - can he pull out of it quickly, or will he get stuck? Also, I'd like to see how he does in AAA, too, facing all those junkballers and AAAA pitchers. I'd say Colas is up for serious consideration by next All Star break, unless he forces the issue. Problem there is Sosa forced the issue and LaRussa put a stop to that. I would love to jettison Leury and have Sosa and Harrison split time at 2B, plus maybe Sosa can fill in at 3B/SS/LF like Leury, but not terrible at it.

Feel like Naylor has gotten a couple hits up the middle against that shift this series

That's what a real ace does. Give up 6 but pitch 7.

Really glad they fought back, but what a frustrating game.

Kwan was ALL OVER Foster. Got away with one there. Whew. Foster and Ruiz need to go - too bad this bullpen blows even with all the money spent on it.

Foster thinking "they crushed us when the count was 0-2 so I'm going 2-0 on everyone!"

Go after Kwan but for the love of god DON'T THROW HIGH FASTBALLS.

Tony sucks but this bullpen is fucking awful against Cleveland. None of them are reliable against a crappy hitting team.

If that was Ramirez at third inning would be over

Pollock pulled off that pitch like it was me hitting

No good choice here. Pollock is horrendous, Sheets is horrendous.

Pitched around Abreu

Could Abreu NOT press here, please?

Just watch those hangers Vaughn

Glad the Sox decided to respond with a 5 ERA pitcher out there after they gave up a 4 spot.

They're making a statement - playing good defense, taking extra bases, pushing the envelope. They know the Sox can't respond.

Keep throwing two strike fastballs up you absolute morons

Super late on fastballs then rolls over on a hanging offspeed. I cannot understand what the hell happened to Pollock.