ChiSox59

If JR is worried about 2024 payroll, trade Graveman and Kelly to the highest bidder the next month. Trade Liam if he comes back healthy, or buy him out if injury is longer term and he's due $1.5M over 10 years instead of $15 in 2024. You can save ~$35M just on just those three. Not picking up TA's option to save $14M would be insane, even if he continues to suck. As noted earlier, me thinks 2024 is going to bring a very determined TA, whether that is here or elsewhere. Trading him now would be super silly unless someone is willing to pay up. TA is also very obviously hurt. Hanser totally fucked his knee - he changed his batting stance and is just totally screwed up right now. Would imagine that stuff could get cleaned up over the winter.

Its not really a legit question though. Look at what SS's signed for last season, and then look at the 2024 FA SS market. Even if TA continues his woeful season, the option is still an easy call to pick up.

2023 mirage? Robert is a career 128 wRC+ hitter that plays GG caliber CF. There is no mirage - Robert was even better offensively in 2021. He's just quite simply one of the very best players in the game, that just so happens to be extremely streaky (and has had his injury issues). s%*# even this season with a 143 wRC+, he's had multiple stints of 10+ games looking completely helpless at the plate. He's that good. If the Sox made Robert available (they won't), every team in baseball would be interested.

Probably not. These grievances aren't nearly as common as they're brought up. If Jordan Walker getting demoted didn't lead to a grievance, not sure how AV would. When's the last time one of these was even filed? Kris Bryant? The reality of the situation is AV is a career -0.6 fWAR player, has 250 minor league PA to his name, has regressed slightly offensively since an underwhelming 2022, and is a terrible fielder anywhere you put him. I believed in AV - and still do believe in the bat to some degree - but a short term demotion isn't even close to grievance level, IMO. That said, Sox won't do it.

The reason would be he's been very disappointing as a 3rd overall pick and three weeks in the minors would get a year of control back. But the Sox are never doing it.

I definitely am fully on board to trade Giolito, Kelly, Lopez, Middleton and Graveman. Not sure you could get anything for Lynn, Clevinger and Grandal, but I'd certainly be fine moving them too. I've been a big Yaz supporter (and I know you have too, CWS), and he was a great signing at the time, but man its painful to watch him catch. Sox absolutely need to acquire someone who can play catcher that isn't named Seby Zavala. I just don't see the point in trading TA right now. You're talking nickel on the dollar right now. I said it about Giolito when many were down on him, but walk season improvements are a real thing. TA isn't Giolito level focused, but that man cares deeply about his next payday. If he keeps playing like he is, his next payday is going to be quite paltry. TA is going to improve, but 2023 may very well be a lost season. Bring him back in 24, watch the bounceback, and then move him next summer if the Sox suck again, and start the Colson era. Edit: I just came back to say fu*k you, Hanser. Ehh, I like Elvis. Dude isn't very good anymore and shouldn't be playing everyday and I am all for giving those reps to Sosa, Romy, Remillard, JRod, Ramos, etc., but assuming you cannot get a live arm pensman to give a trial to for the next few months for him, I'd keep Elvis around. Moncada is already IL'd, and likely will be for some time. So that one is done. AV isn't getting demoted, but man, he's been mostly brutal. Even just 3 weeks in the minors gets us a year of control back, so I am all for it, but 0% chance the Sox actually do that. Colas should be here anyday, I would imagine. Gregor mentioned it last night too, and I would guess that he wasn't just spitballing. Oscar has (finally) started to heat up a bit in AAA, and boy am I sick of watching the Gavin Sheets/Clint Frazier platoon. Send Frazier to the moon, please. Never seen a guy have more consistently decent at bats that end in absolutely nothing, especially when he's had the platoon advantage the majority of the time (referring to Frazier here). He's honestly hit the ball hard like 5x the whole season. Where is that power? I'd actually look to trade Santos. Dude is filthy, but always sell high on relievers. Dudes arm could fall off, or his control could go at any moment. I'd be shocked if he turns into a legit back of the pen guy for the next half decade. If you can get a legit SP prospect for him from a cheap team desperate for pen help, I'd trade him all day.

Well done ReyLo!

ReyLo…what could go wrong

Atta baby, nice turn Elvis. Huge

Burger 3 for his last 39. Outside of the occasional long ball, dude just isn’t very good at major league baseball.

Man, idk if TA would hit AAA pitching right now. He’s down 0-2 so quick every at bat. Just a brutal fall from grace.

My guess isn’t they didn’t want to deplete their organizational depth for a couple appearances. Though losing Erik Gonzalez would be mostly a nothing burger, he does play nearly everyday in Charlotte. Definitely understand the angle, just doesn’t seem to be as big of a deal as some folks are making. Certainly not directed at you Sleepy, but feel that most that got worked up on it didn’t really understand the roster nuances.

Mark Payton?

Sure he did hit that one hard, and has shown a decent willingness to work a count. But he’s been really bad and is taking way too many ABs lately. But yeah, options are limited. Remillard could play some RF. I’d be more than fine to get Colas back up here. Waiver claim, anyone really.

What exactly does Clint Frazier accomplish? I’ve seen enough. Dude blows.

I am not overly concerned about 2023. Of course I want to win the division, but it seems more unlikely by the day, even if they keep this group together. In the unlikely they do win the division, this is not a team that is likely to advance. I wouldn't trade Gio for just anything (at this point, anyway) - but if you can get a backend top 100 prospect (or close), ideally a SP, you certainly have to consider it. I think Gio will be in high demand.

I would be absolutely astonished if the Sox bought out TA, even if he doesn't get his s%*# together in 2023. The next FA class for SS is awful - TA would still have value at 1/$14M, but it certainly would be nice for him to remove his head from his ass.

Man, I'd certainly hate to lose the chance to get a long term rotation piece in exchange for 12 or so Giolito starts. Also, should be able to get something interesting for Middleton, and perhaps Reylo.

This feels like a 4-3 week to me (split in LA; take 2/3 in Oak). Twins could definitely go 2-4. That would get the Sox back to 4.5 GB.

I am tired of watching him be the most overrated player in baseball so far in 2023.

Woof

Thanks for the correction. Point still remains.

He’s controlled through 2028. Haha. That’s 5 more season. Who knows what could happen. Sox would need to get a historic return to move Robert.

The August and September schedule are so soft that I don’t think they lose 90 games even if they sell off a few pieces. Could be close tho.

This Touki cat might be useful, eh boys