ChiSox59

I didn't love the fit when he signed with the Reds, but fuckina it would have been better than the route we went. Really worry about just punting OF defense. Would prefer Conforto, but I guess if we commit to scoring 6+ runs a game, it could work...until it doesn't in October and we're all wondering what happened.

2.2 fWAR which is still hard to believe. Honestly tho, Cesar is probably (disgustingly) one of the better realistic 2B fits on the FA market for the Sox. Once you get past the elite SS which we aren't signing and moving to 2B, you have guys like Eduardo Escobar, Chris Taylor, Donovan Solano, Brad Miller, and Cesar. I may take Escobar over Cesar, but its honestly not that easy of a decision as Cesar is a better defender. Taylor is a better player, but hasn't played a ton of 2B in his career - and while his splits are close to even, he doesn't help balance the lineup. I think the Sox probably buy out Cesar, but I wouldn't be shocked if he's back if they're able to get Conforto in RF. Which I guess I am OK with him in that scenario. Then there are the trade options we've discussed like La Stella, Gregorius, Segura, etc.

I think its pretty safe to assume Leury will get resigned. We'll also have Romy around for stints if needed.

Definitely intriguing. I like La Stella more than a lot of the mid-tier 2B options on the FA market.

That would be some mastery from Hahn. I don't see the Giants that desperate to dump La Stella. If Sox can effectively plug 2B by dumping Keuchel and lowering 2020 payroll by $10M+ in the process, that would be something. La Stella only due $5.25M in 22, jumps up to $11.5M in 23. I think you'd need to add in a notable prospect to make that deal without giving the G's significant salary relief. They Giants also don't really have an in-house replacement to La Stella. Solano I believe is a FA. I like the framework tho.

To be clear, my post was in no way directed at you. Just get annoyed with the constant "how about (insert former or current Cubs player?)" comments on here. Bryant was just the latest one, along with Schwarber. Was Happ yesterday. Will be Baez tomorrow. Never ends.

I don't really see the Kris Bryant fit other than some Sox fans fascination with the Cubs, and inability to survey the rest of the league. For one, he is going to be well outside of the Sox budget, and while he fills a need in RF and theoretically would be a better option than sticking a shitty lefty bat in RF (ala Adam Eaton) purely for handedness, he doesn't solve a lot of the issues the Sox need the their new RF to help fix.

This

Why are these mutually exclusive? I don't think anyone is guaranteeing Conforto 5 years. I am taking the under on 4/$75M. I think he'll get between $15-20M AAV on 3-4 year deal. Just said I think the absolutel max he gets is 4/$80M. Not sure what is confusing about any of that. And yes, I think Conforto is far and away the best fit for RF for the Sox on the FA market. I don't think it is even particularly close. So yes, I have been the leading the bandwagon on him for months. Doesn't mean I think he's going to get a Springer deal. Springer is a better player with far less question marks, tho his first season is Toronto was a disaster. I think the deals you're talking about would have been possible for Conforto if he had a big 2021, but I think his struggles will ultimately drop him into the range mentioned above. Which is a big part of the reason I think he is 1) attainable to the Sox; and 2) actually of interest because I wouldn't touch a 5/$120M+ deal with him with a 10 foot pole.

Not a single person has predicted 1/12 or 2/25 that I have seen. And I was on the Conforto bandwagon since like May on this board.

I'll take the under on $20M and 5 years. 4/80M is about the max I could see. My guess is closer to the Grandal deal, and maybe only three years. But I guess we'll see.

Interesting. Well I certainly hope you're right, but definitely a believe it when I see it kind of situation. I'd personally be tickled with Conforto, Escobar (or a trade for someone who is a better defender but hits from left side), Leury and a back-up catcher. The latter three would all cost less than Scherzer.

Right!?!? What a bunch of IDIOTS!

Likely because a healthy Nimmo is also a fantastic fit for RF. Unfortunately the Mets, Nimmo is never healthy. Nimmo has a lifetime slash of .266/.393/.445 across 1700 PA. Dude is very good when he plays. So that is the fascination.

So you've already mentioned Scherzer. Do you think its possible we see the Sox sign legitmately above average big leaguers in RF and 2B as well as signing a high end SP like Scherzer? Going to cost Jerry close to $200M to do that, and it won't get cheaper for the next 3-4 years.

Conforto won't get half of the guaranteed $ Springer got.

TBF, any of Duvall, Pederson or Rosario would be a been sizable upgrade in RF to the situation we ran out there in RF this season. But none of them are world beaters either. Braves have caught lightning in a bottle here.

Dylan Cease is coming off a season with 3.91 ERA/3.41 FIP, 226 Ks in 165 IP good for 4.4 fWAR (which ranked 4th in the AL). You may not like Cease for some reason, but your reasoning is whack. Walks? His K to BB ratio was 3.32. Can't get batters out consistently? GMAFB - what else do you want? Dude was rock solid in 21 and his trajectory is pointing up. Kopech has the ability to be one of the very best SP in the game. Will he be next season? Probably not. But he's a SP and its time to use him as such.

Yeah, I mean I've talked about Kopech's situation at length. I think he is going to be max'd out around 140-160 innings. So I agree. I just don't think you're going to find many guys of note who are going to sign deals to be the 6th starter on a 1 year deal. And i don't think guys who fit in towards the top of the rotation fit into the budget. So you're realisitically talking about guys like Quintana, Jon Gray, Rich Hill, etc. Wouldn't be surprised to see Sox bring someone like that in if Rodon turns down QO. Would be very surprised to see them bring in someone who fits in the top or middle of rotation unless one of the returning SPs (not counting Rodon) somehow end up elsewhere which seems very unlikely to me.

Mmmmk. Of course you can find a taker for Kuechel if you pro-rate his dead in half and add in Burger. That doesn't exactly solve our budgetary issues though. But I am talking with the guy who wants to run out the worst OF defense in the game next season (and sees no issues with it) to save $ in RF, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

The chances Kuechel gets traded are pretty slim. And if he's on roster, Sox are surely going to pitch him and hope he is decent enough to trade mid season or just be a serviceable 5. Hope he gets traded, but I am definitely not counting on it. Rodon is coin flip. Chances neither of them are on the Sox next year is slim. If we bring in a SP, its a veteran flier on a cheap 1 year deal. THere is no space in rotation or budget for a SP.

I did. It was concerning. I also think we'll have 60% of our rotation next year receive votes for Cy Young in 2021, and two potentially in the top 5. The rotation is set for next season. Giolito, Cease, Lynn and Kopech are all in. Rodon may take QO making the situation more crowded. We're paying Keuchel $18M next season - they're going to try to see if he can eat some innings. There isn't room to bring in another SP of note, either in the rotation or the budget. All the SP shit the bed in a 4 game sample. Agreed. They were also probably the best in the AL in a 162 game sample. Important to note. Of course I'd like to bring in an elite TOR starter and push everyone down a notch, make Cease or Kopech our 4/5 and launch Keuchel into the sun. But I live in reality.

Starting pitcher? Why do we need a SP? We have 5. 6 if Rodon takes QO. I have zero idea how any person can say that RF shouldn't be a priority, and your lack of concern for OF defense is....concerning.

I think there are 2 avenues on SP: 1) Rodon takes QO - rotation is Giolito, Lynn, Rodon, Cease, Kopech. Keuchel probably makes some starts to control Kopech's innings. 2) Rodon rejects QO - same rotation but slide Keuchel up. Sign veteran SP to cheap 1 year deal as competition for Dallas and insurance for Kopech. A few options - Quintana, Archer, Jon Gray, Rich Hill. I don't expect Sox to spend much here. Pen definitely needs at least 2 guys. Also, ideally, sign a good defensive backup catcher and send Collins out for....I don't know...maybe a live arm.

Ahhh, yes. Let's let another year of the window disappear with a giant hole in RF. Sorry man, its just a terrible plan. I am not suggesting we get rid of Gavin, but handign him the job, whether that is DH or RF, is a terrible idea.