ChiSox59

Home runs are great and all but when your OBP is .300 and OPS+ and wRC+ say you’re an average hitter even with the home runs, it is a little less exciting. Cesar is a fine 9 hitter and 2B. But he’s a sizable downgrade from Madrigal at 2B in 22. But yes, it is what it is and he’s our guy now I guess. Certainly prefer Cesar to Leury for the rest of 21.

That was a fun game at least. Get em tomorrow. Get Robert up here on Monday and let Engel Take RF most days. Goodwin sucks balls in the field.

At this point it is what it is, but Cesar Hernandez shouldn’t change anything. Dudes an average player. The only way I would not be disappointed with as him our 2B next year is if the Sox make a big move in RF like Conforto. Ready to see Kimbrel hopefully make it all worth it. Cause Nicky is gonna be a good ball player for a long time.

Will miss ya, Nicky,

Sox took the whole deal.

I too think the dollars don’t make sense and is a big reason I’m not overjoyed with the trade. But would be a curious to turn around a trade him in 4 months. Bullpen gets weaker next year without Kopech (and hopefully some starts from Crochet as well). I hear ya tho. If the Sox were dangling Crochet in this deal as rumored, makes me wonder if he’s as good as gone this offseason.

No way? Seems a bit certain considering they just gave away their franchise 2B for the next half decade and a future setup man or closer for Kimbrel. If they think they need him now, why not next season?

Care to elaborate on this? Sounds like you know some of these stories. I did find Nick to be a little awkward. A few more candid videos from ST kind of showed he struggled to interact comfortably with his teammates. Quiet and reserved perhaps. But what makes him a "turd" and what are these stories? Let it spill!

Anyone have a link to Stoney's comments?

Nearly $65M with Keuchel.

As is? Woof. Looks like we’ll need to be closer to $200M then.

I can't give them that benefit of the doubt. They don't deserve it. But I hope you're right, man. Really do.

In case you haven't noticed, money is a big fucking deal in building a winning roster. Want to be ignorant about it? That's your call. But its a huge factor.

There are 2 ways this trade turns into a W. 1) Win the world series. 2) Jerry has approved a major budget increase and this doesn't stop the Sox from signing a real RF like Conforto and legitimate SP in FA this offseason. I guess I can live with Hernandez at 2B, though I'd prfer someone like Semien and shift Hernandez into a Leury role. Otherwise....terrible use of limited payroll space, and of an awesome player and roster fit in Madrigal.

Right. Which is why there is a decent contingent that hates selling 5 years of Madrigal for a relief pitcher making a ton of money on a team that doesn't spend a lot. I am happy for what this trade means for 2021. I hate how much it costed, and it feels like a real overpay to me.

Yah, definitely would have eased some of the pain I am feeling.

I know that neither of them are great prospects per several ranking services.

Couldn't we have jsut tacked on some 40 man fodder and had him added to the Kimbrel trade? Fuck, Madrigal and Heuer should have been enough. Still reeling over here.

The roster move happened before the Kimbrel move occurred.

Sox aren't going to pay for a 2B in the offseason. They'll pick up Hernandez $6M option and go cheap in RF. Sox will be paying the bullpen between $45-50M. If this move means the Sox are now playing with the big boys in the $175M+ payrolls - we good. But I refuse to believe that until I see it.

Right? Like why is Heuer even in this deal? Sure seems to me like this is package that should have gotten use Kimbrel + Bryant. Not that it means a ton, but just a week or so ago Fangraphs said Madrigal had a top 50 trade value in that game, that would have been higher had he not gotten hurt. Instead, we traded him (plus a really nice MLB pen piece) both controlled cheap FOR YEARS, for a shutdown closer making shutdown closer money, on a team with a shutdown closer. Its just strange. Is this team better suited to win the World Series in 21 than it was an hour ago? Yeah. But we gave up a lot.

At least get Bryant in the deal if you're giving up a piece like that.

Hate it.

Man, I gotta let this one marinate. I LOVED Madrigal. Dude is perfect for this team. Hopefully Hahn and Jerry are looking are the FAs this offseason and willing to spend. Because Madrigal is a perfect complement to this team. Now we got $35M wrapped up in relief pitchers, and 2 offensive holes and a SP to fill via FA. $160M+ payroll is going to be necessary.

OMG.