ChiSox59

Machado is going to go to the team that pay him the most. It really is that simple.

Quite a thread this is.

There aren't many SS that fit your description. It's completely conceivable that the Sox actually have 2 or 3 of the best 20 SS in the game. Anderson, Rondon, and Yolmer (admittedly a bit of a stretch there). Rondon would be an upgrade at SS for at least 1/3 of the league.

I see basically no scenario where Cease in the the majors before late June, and even then only if he is straight fire in AAA, and the Sox are actually around .500 or better.

Dude, AJ Pollock is really good. I have minimal interest in Donaldson. I'd be disappointed if the Sox go that direction unless its a 1 year deal with an eye on Arenado or Rendon in 2020. Honestly, I think Donaldson will accept the QO if he gets one.

Regarding Manny, you're probably right. But $33.5M AAV isn't exactly chump change. I think Pollock is a fantastic fit for this team if the price is right. His injury history scares me, and he'll likely cost a draft pick. But those are two reasons that you may be able to get him at a nice discount on his value. I don't see any reason why the Sox shouldn't be interested in him if they can get him for 2-3 years and $18-20M AAV. Who is he blocking? The only true natural CFs in the system are Robert and Gonzalez, and neither are going to be in Chicago before mid to late 2020 best case scenario. You can always slide Pollock to LF or RF and Eloy to DH in 2020 if guys like Robert, Rutherford, Basabe and Adolfo are forcing the issue. Guys like Adam Engel and Alex Call aren't stopping me from acquiring a well above above average ML OF.

Signings: Machado 8 years / $270M AJ Pollock 3 years / $63M Matt Harvey 1 year / $8M Lineup: Pollock CF, Moncada 2B, Machado 3B, Abreu 1B, Eloy LF (3 weeks in; Delmonico holds spot until then), Garcia RF, Palka DH, Anderson SS, Narvaez C BN: Castillo, Leury, Engel, Yolmer Rotation: Rodon, Kopech, Giolito, Lopez and Harvey Bullpen: Burdi, Hamilton, Jones, Fry, Burr, Bummer and Stephens/Covey/Vieira/Ruiz

Martin is controlled through 2019. I highly doubt the Indians non-tender him. I'd pass on Happ. Murphy would be interesting as a 1B/DH.

Robson? Rondon? Timmy has been playing great ball the past couple weeks. Hope he's fine.

I worry about the Red Sox.

Hang wif'em

I feel like Oakland could use Shields.

Things look a whole lot brighter if you pencil in Manny Machado. This offseason could be interesting. I doubt we get him or other elite FAs, but hope to see the Sox at least show serious interest.

Team is just playing good baseball right now. Super refreshing to watch.

Is Adams one of the guys that needs to be added to the 40 man this offseason to protect?

Yah, maybe I was being too generous. He has just 9 IP with 7 hits, 11 Ks and 7 BB since he was demoted to WS across three starts. Seems like a slight improvement form his previous results, but he's definitely not working late into games and has not thrown many pitches in his outings.

Hansen has been taking hte ball every 5th day in WS. Results haven't been great, but also not awful. Dunning is in AZ throwing. But I haven't heard anything else on that in a couple weeks.

I kind of doubt he will have any trade value coming off a season in which he spent 90% of it on the shelf suspended, and I don't see him getting much more than spot PT in September. But yah, he's certainly not breaking the bank. I'd probably hold onto him and cut bait on Smith, even though I like the guy and wish we could keep him in AAA but he is out of options.

No, he's sign thru 2019 at $7.5M next season, and an option for 2020.

Welington has absolutely clobbered LHP in his career, so it would make a very effective platoon if Narvaez keeps this up. I don't see the Sox just cutting bait on Castillo, and I don't see there being much interest in his services on the trade market this winter.

You think the Sox just release Castillo?

Perhaps, but this quote didn't sound overly sarcastic - "That said, yes Rodon's K rate is down, he was operating 92-94 a lot last night and is pitching to contact, but a young pitcher, coming off injury in a lost season, no need to over extend."

They aren't shutting Rodon down. He's yet to eclipse 165 IP in the bigs in a season. He won't get there this season either, but they aren't shutting him down. Rodon has been an absolute stud his last 10 starts. He looks every bit of the top tier SP the Sox though they were getting third overall in 2014. #theroadtorodon

People who dissect prospects for a living have him ranked the 2nd best prospect out of 2018 draft. Your bolded comment had no basis in reality other than just throwing shit at a wall.

Stop quoting the dude!!