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Astros were able to extend their window through advanced scouting, player development, and using data analytics to improve their production overall. They lost key contributors over the years but were able to inject homegrown stars like Yordan and Tucker. Then they were able to develop under the radar prospects like Framber, Urquidy, Luis Garcia into legit front line starters. Even established vets like Cole and Verlander had career years after joining them. Not to mentioned they’re able to build bullpen by developing them instead of spending a fortune. The theme here is elite player development and getting more out of their players. I don’t see Sox having any of those infrastructures in place to enjoy an extended run like the Astros.

No guarantees, but I rather play them with HFA then no HFA. Playing first 2 games at home and splitting 1-1 or maybe even going 2-0 would have put less pressure on them going into games 3 and 4, you could tell they were already deflated coming home. Astros might still have pulled out in 5, but having HFA could have changed dynamics of the series.

+8% of winning overall in the playoff for teams with HFA, and that bumps up to +20% for World Series, dating back to 1969. Also with expanded playoffs better seeding would only help. It pretty crazy we’re debating whether we should have Kelly, VV, Harrison over Rodon. Really, it’s nuts.

As I pointed earlier in the thread, Rodon may miss some time during the season, but he would have pitched into October in all but 2 seasons in his 7 seasons as a pro, had the Sox made the playoffs. I will take those odds 10 times out of 10, especially since 2 out of the 3 guys you mentioned may not even be on the roster come October. Also regular season record, seeding, and home field advantage matters, so let’s not chalk anything Rodon could have provided in the regular season as insignificant.

They’ve already got in two years in a row but exited early. This was supposed to be the year they take a major step forward but with the way the off-season went it’s far from likely. The frustration with is off-season is they had the financial resources to really improve the team but failed miserably. This thread will serve as a constant reminder that the money went to Kelly, Velazquez and Harrison could have at least went to a QO for Rodon, however many innings he could give you at Cy level performance.

What’s this depth you speaking of? There is a huge difference between depth and quality depth. You really think they could keep winning games with only 2 starters hitting over .250 and 3/5 of the rotation that has no business starting for a contending team? Get a reality check.

Look it up.

The fact that one of the most well run organizations out there gave him 2 years and $26M more than the QO to him tells you something about how dumb this move is.

We are rolling Velazquez, Kechuel, and Lambert out there and people are still defending the FO for not at least putting QO on Rodon. This is absolutely comical.

My point is that doesn’t indicate he will pitch 100 innings and got hurt for rest of the year and miss the playoffs. Since his debut, there is only 1 season he didn’t pitch in September.

Regular season wins and home field advantage aren’t meaningless. And even if he misses time, that’s not to say that he will miss the playoffs altogether.

If he pitches more than 100 innings, that’s worth the $18M.

So many posters here are going to eat crow about Rodon.

Anyone has updates on Vera? Turning 22 in a month, I’m surprised he’s not starting out at Kanny.

Yea and it still doesn’t make what you said anymore agreeable.

Let’s not get carried away here. We should have aimed higher than Cueto.

He could eat some innings and perhaps could surpass Keuchel when Lynn returns, but don’t expect much more from him, he’s basically the same pitcher the past 3 years, with and xERA of just under 5.00

From what I read he keeps the balls in front of him and is a great framer.

You also gotta offer their GM a shit ton of crack to smoke.

Signing injured players is up this team’s alley.

Both Kendrys Morales and Stephen Drew fared terribly after signing during the season. I don’t think it’s ideal for anyone, hitters or pitchers, to sign after season starts.

I am referring to the $75M they supposedly offered him earlier. So what’s your point?

I am trying to convince myself which is the more acceptable excuse, that they have the money to Kelly/Harrison/VV instead, they thought they could trade Kimbrel but turns out they couldn’t, or that they were never seriously pursuing a guy who now could be had for a very reasonable contract and addresses a major need for them.

So if rumors that Sox made an offer around 4/$76M were true, I am curious why the he doesn’t circle back with Sox and take that offer at this point. I don’t think he will get anything close to a 5/$100M deal anymore. Also there is no upside for him to sit till after the draft to take a 1 year deal and try again next season, as players who has taken this approach in the past usually struggle to get it going. The Sox offer seems to be the best one available. It’s also certainly plausible the Sox offer is no longer on the table, or that they never had serious intent of signing him. We can point to the signings Hahn has already made, but assuming Giolito settles for $7.5M arb, I think they could still give Conforto the rumored offer without moving Kimbrel and going over CBT.

Tim Anderson wins another batting title. Gavin Sheets plays at least 100 games for the Sox and hits over 20 HRs. Jake Burger starts more than 50 games, at 2B. Sox wins the Central by less than 4 games. Sox acquires more RPs at TDL.