SCCWS

Braves had $38 MIl with their top 3 starters. We had 9 with Nova. We could dump Nova and certainly add two very good starters for $38 or keep Nova and find two for $28.

He made $20 last year so I think $10-12 would get him. He got $5Mil already for his buyout.

No, but you probably have to be creative and lucky. Of the final four, the Cardinals had the lowest payroll at $165. But if you drop down to previous round, the Braves had a very good year and spent $117. I will not include Tampa as their payroll is minor league level. But the World Series had teams w big payrolls as well as many experienced players.

I think he and/or Wheeler will be our targets for the high rated starter and both will get similar $. But I do think the Giants will want to keep him. I think Wheeler may be easier to get.

Why not from Tampa? They have developed a lot of pitching and they probably don't pay their FO big bucks.

JD supposedly has a limited no-trade clause. It would be interesting to know what teams he blocked a trade to 3 years ago. I doubt the White Sox are included. Maybe Tigers are one for trading him.

I would add that Martinez has to decide on opting in/out well before he knows how the roster will be changed going into next season. if they decide to trade Betts, they may not be in contention next year. Chris Sales health is also a major factor. So I am not sure JD is assured Boston will be competitive for a playoff spot next year. Now he can opt out and try and choose a team in AL that will pay him and looks to be competitive.

But Boston usually sucks at evaluating pitching. They usually import the majority by trade. But the Tampa stat whiz is running the show now so maybe he brought his spreadsheets with him.

FWIW--As I remember it, he was out of the lineup for a week or so in the summer. When he returned, it was as a DH and their announcers said it was less stress on his back. Maybe throwing was a concern? I know he played quite a bit in the field in September because there was some media speculation it would bring down his FA value.

He died in the post season but he continues to hit 30 HR/80+ RBI. Not a bad Option C or D if we strike out w main targets since he might be had for 10 Mil.

No. The CBT payroll is a different, higher figure because it averages the annual value of long-term contracts even if those contracts include deferred money and also includes things like player benefits costs and salary owed to players no longer on the 40-man. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2019-mlb-opening-day-payrolls-red-sox-cubs-yankees-open-season-above-competitive-balance-tax-threshold/

I don't think the Sox have placed a number on their 2020 budget. Hopefully it has a range beofre they wade in and not a cap. I believe the MLB average is $127 million for 2019 opening day and $149 million for CBT purposes.

Close but I doubt anything less than $20 will do it. Maybe $22 AAV over 3

Maddon disciples Martinez and Baldelli had impressive years.

Another possible factor is the players around JDM in the lineup. In 2018, Bogaerts often batted 4-5 and was some protection behind Martinez. In 2019, Bogaerts often batted 2-3. JDM never really had much bat protection behind him especially w Moreland/Pierce hurt most of the year.

4 Games In his first year in the minors , But that was !0 years ago

Not a guarantee. Some rumors in Boston media that he won't. We should know by the weekend.

Two things 1. JD has never played 1st in majors. 2. After having a year w some back issues, 1st would be a terrible place to play.

Rendon already turned down a $210/7 year deal w Washington last month. If the Sox went for him, I would not be confident they would still be willing to spend big bucks elsewhere. I think if they are going to spend $30Mil it should go to SP as the first priority. If you think they are going to do that and still spend 30+ on Rendon then I agree. My gut is they will jump the payroll to $125.

Hopefully they were not idiots because if they were, they are the same ones going into this FA season.

My guess is Boston will start by trading Price and eating 50% of his contract. The question is would teams want Price at $48/3.

I would assume some of that was the back issues he battled at times in 2019. He also played in the field less as well because of his back.

He may be but he is a gamble. In 2019 he had shoulder, groin and achilles issues. Obviously w the fluke achilles, he was never able to show that his fastball was back in his rehab then ML 1 inning stint. If he comes really cheap he is definitely worth a shot but if it comes down to a 1yr he probably will stay in NY. I am not sure how available the achilles medical reports are?

Not necessarily. Betts in his "hit the FA market year" may be more valuable to them in their pursuit of a playoff spot than getting a mediocre return. I think, like the Goldschmidt trade, someone will take a flyer on Betts with MLB talent hoping to sign him long-term. I would love him on the Sox long-term but I would be afraid we would only be a rental stop. Now that their new nerd-GM is in place, decisions should be made after the series on at least JDM. I would assume Betts will not be moved till ST.

If Boston loses JDM and decide they will trade Betts, they will want MLB ready talent in return like Goldschmidt got last year. "A year ago, the Diamondbacks had a franchise player in Paul Goldschmidt, who had just one remaining year before reaching free agency. Arizona found a market of roughly four teams for the first baseman’s services, electing to deal him to St. Louis for two projected big league regulars — catcher Carson Kelly and pitcher Luke Weaver — along with a decent prospect with a limited ceiling (Andy Young), as well as a competitive balance draft pick. They secured multiple players ready to be solid big leaguers (even if not stars) while also deepening their prospect pool. On one hand, Goldschmidt represented a relative bargain at $14.5 million entering the final year of his deal. Moreover, at 31, he seemed open to a long-term deal with a team that traded for him. Still, his market was limited by his position (first base) and post-prime age. One executive surmised that Betts, even with a projected salary through arbitration of more than $27 million and a near-certain entry into free agency, might find interest level to be twice that of Goldschmidt’s given his value in center or right, creating the possibility to exceed the package garnered by Arizona." https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2019/10/07/someone-gotta-assessing-trade-value-mookie-betts/JoTYwAy6YSjjOU6mBWUNFN/story.html