ChiSox59

Hopefully the guy that is convinced Moncada is in awful shape doesn’t come across this thread.

But I was told that repeatedly here that the Sox had a league average amount of injuries this year???????????????

Hopefully DH 125 games, LF 25 games. Anything less than 80% of the DH would be a terrible, terrible mistake. He's a DH. Time for him to accept it AND, perhaps more importantly, for the org to stop caring about Eloy's thoughts on the matter.

While I certainly don't want the Sox to hire Ozzie, nor do I think he's even a legit candidiate, it'd at least be extremely entertaining. Like slowing down to look at a car wreck type entertaining. Would be quite a fitting way to end what could potentially be JR's last managerial hire.

Sox pretty much have to ride out 2023. They have a lot coming off the books after this season, and if 2023 is a flop, I could see some major changes and sell-type moves leading into 2024. But I think you have to at least try to one more time with this core with some minor tweaks, ideally a legit LH OF and solid SP. I think payroll lands between $190-200M again.

Its really just fan driven narrative. Who really cares? If the Sox hire one of those guys, by all means light your pitchforks. Until then, what's the point? The Sox are clearly interviewing a lot of folks. There really isn't anything to be upset about at this point.

jerry better get used to a lack of playoff revenues if that is his plan. I don’t see them throwing in the towel, personally.

I think he is Astros manager if they win WS.

On the brightside, even if the Sox do something dumb like Getz, or something most of the fanbase wouldn't love like Washington, at least its going to be a VAST improvement over Tony. I said so many times over the past 2 years that I would literally take nearly anyone over Tony, and I meant that. The bar to clear is below the ground.

So you have been told the that "Espada is out" take is actually accurate? Woof.

Maybe we should let them make the decision first.

I think it’s quite plausible that this is as simple as Espada wanting to stay committed to the Astros until their season is over, and the fake wannabe insiders are just that. Consider me wholly skeptical of a few Twitter “sources” that don’t use their own name. I trust that Mike Rodriguez over any of them. It is also quite plausible that the Sox botched another situation. But it’s really not worth getting worked up about until the manager is formally announced.

Ehhh.

I'd be very surprised if more than 1 coaching staff member not named Ethan Katz returns. I could see Cairo staying maybe. If the Sox are hiring an external manager, there is going to be a new coaching staff. Espada hiring Beltran as his bench coach would be *chefs kiss*.

FIFY

I am very happy if it’s Espada. He was my first choice.

It is also why they won't be again in 2023 if that group doesn't improve drastically. That's really what it boils down to.

I don't even think they can announce a manager until the WS is over, which is over 2 week away.

I wonder if Madden would have any interest in a non-managerial coaching staff role if no manager role is available? I'd be alright with that.

I thought about mentioning 2016 Melky, but didn't because he was a switch hitter. Conforto has hit RHP much better than Melky did (.873 vs .756 career OPS), which is one of the Sox biggest need. Though obviously Melky has a much larger sample that includes the twilight of his career. Even if you want to discount Conforto quite a bit from his career mark of .873 against RHP, history suggest he should be better than a .756 OPS hitter against RHP. To be clear, I'd much prefer some other options than Conforto that play better defense. But he'd be a solid back up option on a 1 year deal. I don't really think Palka is relevant to the discussion. Conforto has career wRC+ of 124. Palka's best season was 108. Yes, Conforto was 106 in 2021 and didn't play in 2022. I am aware. But he's still not even 30.

Right. I think Hahn's comments have more to do with the reality of the situation (they only have $30M to spend) and the fact that if he says he's going to be a player in free agency but doesn't land anyone notable, he'll get fried like he has repeatedly on his missed FA pursuits the last few offseasons.

I struggle to come up with a trade that makes sense that nets us one of those guys. I am all for acquiring Marte, but a TA for Marte deal would be very bad.

Conforto would be the best LH hitting OF we’ve had since what….2015 Adam Eaton? 2005 Scott Podsednik? This organizations inability to acquire a LH hitting OF that is actually decent goes back over 15 years.

Man, I hope asking for a solid managerial hire, a legit LH OF and a cheap 2B isn't too much to ask for...I think they'll go internal at 2B myself, but this team is going to suck balls again if they don't acquire a real OF that hits LH.

There is zero good reason to just DFA Grandal. If someone would actually pick up 50%+ of his deal, or we could swap him for another overpaid vet on a 1 year deal that solves a hole, perhaps. But just cutting him doesn't make much sense when you're paying him $18M.25 regardless. May as well bring him into spring training and see how the knees look, and try to glean some value out of him in a part time role. Sox have 2 in house options that should be at least league average in tandem as backstops, so just eating Grandal's $18.25M doesn't really make any sense at all.