Lip Man 1

Nate Jones NEVER seems to be healthy, that's just the way he is historically. I'd rather give a kid a shot or sign someone myself.

And with that the Sox now have officially recorded their sixth straight losing season and ninth in the past 12 years. Franchise record is seven straight, 1944-1950. And the last time they have had this bad of a stretch for this long was 1968-1980. 10 losing seasons, two winning ones, one .500 season in those 13 years. The good news is that they have shown signs of life since mid-July especially some of the kids being counted on to be the linchpins of the rebuild. You hope it can carry over to the start of the 2019 season, unlike this past year where they looked good in September 2017, had a winning record in the spring then went right down the toilet when he season began. It will be an interesting off season to be sure, if nothing else to see what the organization may be able to do to try to speed up the rebuild or continue to take a 'wait and see' attitude. I just want them to show progress, I'm tired of losing, of bad baseball.

Unfortunately you really can't even rely on him to get on the field let alone stay on it.

It turned out that tweet from bar stool Dave was right (I think it was bar stool Dave) right after Jones got hurt he tweeted that someone asked him in the locker room if he was done for the year and he supposedly said, "probably." Guy can't stay healthy, time to move on from him.

Floyd Bannister was also huge for the time. The Sox outbid 16 other teams for him. Steinbrenner was so pissed he publicly said he regretted not voting to let DeBartolo by the Sox.

I would expect they do so, not the premier guys, they'll probably have no interest in the Sox at this point but some solid guys to help keep moving things forward.

Lillian: With Rodon's agent (Scott Boras) his M.O. is to take his guys to free agency and try to get he most he can for them. I understand his point of view, that's his job. I suspect unless the Sox were to offer a deal so amazingly high that Boras couldn't say no, he would turn down any overtures especially if Rodon continues to pitch "lights-out." And I don't know if the Sox would even make an approach like that in the first place as far as offering such an incredibly high contract deal. Anything is possible but I can't see this happening on both sides.

Wanne: Because going there and actually pitching (or trying to pitch) helps remove some doubt about the status of his arm. At least it would give the Sox a better idea if he is good to go for the spring. Not pitching, or trying to pitch, means the Sox really won't know much until February. That's six months from now. If he's hurt and needs surgery you've lost six months of recovery time.

Hansen has to work out some major issues and with Dunning, not going to Arizona fall ball, who knows what his physical situation is and if he needs surgery that will delay his development.

No Dane Dunning. Interesting. Would have liked to see his situation become clearer one way or the other (healthy vs. surgery) before heading into spring training. Now, nothing but question marks remain and if he has to have surgery they've blown several months.

Very, very frustrating to see the bullpen garbage on an almost nightly basis. 14th time now the Sox blew a lead and lost when leading in the 7th inning or later. Giolito looked very slid again with nothing to show for it. I repeat, I don't think the Sox will get any superstars, they won't be interested but they can help stabilize the bullpen and perhaps be more respectable in 2019.

Was referring to the general way some players have been treated gong back to guys like Carlton Fisk and Jack McDowell with this organization, not specifically on "service time." As I said they are not breaking any rules and are within their rights but it looks bad from a PR standpoint and right now with them about to have their sixth straight losing season (Last time 1944-1950) they should be trying to get as much positive press / PR / fan goodwill as they can muster. And this could bite them on the ass down the road...we'll have to wait and see.

I see both sides in this and as others have said the Sox are playing within the agreed rules of the game. But given their history and reputation this is not a good look for them and could have very serious consequences down the road. They are between a rock and a hard place in this one with no real "good" solution.

Strong effort again by some of the youngsters the rebuild is counting on. They are playing better but let's hope, unlike last year, it doesn't turn into "fools gold' next April.

The question then becomes if money is the #1 reason, will the Sox offer the most money? Outside of Albert Belle it hasn't happened. Hahn says the money will be there. I guess we'll find out soon enough but I'm not holding my breath or betting the house on the Sox signing any of the very top guys.

Break out the Mark Prior "towel drills..." ?

I'd be very surprised if it happened. JR's loyalty remember plus a year still on his deal plus if he were outright "fired" (without the medical "excuse") it makes Hahn and Kenny look bad, they vouched for him countless times, they hired him. Saving face is important in the organization remember unfortunately. He should not be the manager when they are good...but if this organization wouldn't fire Ventura after all the goofiness, if it took two years of Ozzie complaining about his contract and mailing it in before they agreed to let him go, they actually extended the doofus Terry Bevington...they won't unload Ricky.

I'm saying it is not beyond a possibility. Especially if the Sox can't get some bullpen arms as free agents. I don't think the Sox are going turn over the bullpen to a half dozen kids out of the minor leagues with little to no experience. Personally I'd take that gamble given how bad the stiffs they've had in the pen the last two/three years overall have been....but I don't think the Sox would.

I agree. Do not understand it. You don't go from leading the minor leagues in strikeouts to not being able to throw strikes all of a sudden. Kid has GOT to be hurt.

In theory you are right but we'll see what happens. Many are claiming the RSN rights bubble is about to burst because of cord cutting and other options. I'm sure the Cubs have researched and calculated the risks involved.

Well see.

13th game this year lost by the Sox when they had a lead in the 7th inning or later. Bullpen needs a lot of work this off season if they want to make significant progress in 2019.

Delmonico is a real danger trying to play the outfield going back to spring training.

Thank you

It sounds to me like they are staying together and wll "probably" return to NBC Sports Chicago but are keeping their options open just in case. (Although basically they have no where else to go unless they started their own network which I doubt.)