SCCWS

He turned down 4/$60 from the Mets so I have to think he will at least get 3/55 from someone, possibly the Brewers.

When you say $50 after arbitration. roughly how many roster spots does that cover? I agree they won't go $90 again but I don't think they go over $120. I think your $30 for Wheeler( type) plus a 5th seems pretty accurate. One thing many posters don't seem to mention is a LH starter. It seems the better FA are RH but we need a quality LH in case Rodon has struggles.

No. He signed w Boston on the stipulation that he was not just a DH. He is a poor but not terrible RF, maybe Eloy-like. It would be doubtful any NL team would take him so it might come down to staying in in Boston at $21 Mil or going to White Sox if they offer something like 3/75Mil. He may be too expensive for Toronto who most likely will show interest.

But Martinez signed w the expectation to play on occasion in the OF. He played about 25% of the games in either LF or RF. I think he is considered a below average but not terrible RF. Maybe that would describe Eloy as well? " Convincing Martinez to sign on the dotted line came with the promise that he would occasionally see time in the outfield." https://bosoxinjection.com/2019/03/10/red-sox-plan-use-j-d-martinez-right-field/

According to attached, Cardinals were 9th at $165 and Mariners were 10th at $152. So if we added $80( 100% increase) we would be 10th or top third. But my gut is we end up at $120 (50% increase) which is 17th. https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/salaries/2019/team/all/

One factor in who we sign is whether Hahn has a budget going in. If the Sox payroll in 2019 was about $80 Mil( I know different sources have different amounts) thne I would assume Hahn is going in with something like a 25%, 50% or 100% increase. I think that number will determine where he spends. For example, if he has another $80 to add, then Grandal would be a target. If he has $20 Mil( plus players leaving) then I would think they will spend it elsewhere. My guess is the number will be around $120 Mil. I would think his first move is a SP since that may very well be his costliest add. I would guess, Grandal is probably going for at least 4/$72

Hopefully the Yankees will target Cole. Remember they really wanted Wheeler at the deadline but the teams couldn't agree on a deal.

He hasn't been in a while.................

If you go back a year ago, there were all the Machado/Harper rumors and Nightengale was often quoted. He like many was way off. Remember Manny wanted the East coast? there will be all kind of Cole rumors this year like last. Hopefully the Sox target who they want while the pack chases Cole.

After losing Harper and their success this postseason, , I got to think the Nats will pay and Rendon and he will stay. I think any team will have to pay too much to lure him away. Now if he doesn't like DC, or wants brighter lights , then that is a different story.

I find it interesting that in 2012 White Sox attendance was 1.965 Mil and the team value was $700 Mil and in 2019 attendance was 1.646 Mil and team value was 1.6 Bil. So for ownership attendance is pretty irrelevant. If you had a vested interest in the White Sox you pretty much doubled your investment in 6 years.

Remember Bradley's defense is why Betts still plays RF. Fenway with all it's weird angles is a very difficult CF. So if he was added then the Sox can decide whether to start Roberts in CF or play him in RF to start and let Bradley favor Eloy's side while Roberts gets adjusted.

I like Porcello. He does provide inning relief but he had a rough year. His walk/SO rate is still good but I saw him get pounded a few times this season. I think the 2nd SP( 4/5) needs to be a lefty unless the other one ( 1/2/3)turns out to be LH.

With Rodon certainly questionable, I assume the Sox have to add a quality lefty starter as one of the two FA they need.

RR hopes he will improve the team's approach to bunting.....................................

He did a good job in his 1 year in Charlotte and already knows some of the young players in the organization. The move makes sense.

Boras will not block the White Sox if they make the best offer. He certainly doesn't want to lose a client because he has negative feeling about an organization. But he probably won't do us any favors either. Unfortunately, we need him more than he needs us.

He may but based on what? The Cubs don't use him there. Also what would you be willing to give the Cubs in return? I assume they will require a quality MLB player back. I don't think we have a suitable player we could give them. If we sign Grandal, maybe McCann. Cease?. Eloy had comparable numbers but I think he has a much higher ceiling and is 4 years younger.

I think another negative is Boras likes to hold his FA till very late in the off- season. JDM signed w Boston very late in 2018. Boston held out and eventually got him but I am not sure Hahn has the flexiibilty to hold out and then try and find an option if they lose him. Same w Stras. Hahn may have to blow them off w deals early in the process.

He is a starter for the Cubs. What starter of ours are you giving up in exchange for him so he can DH?

No thanks. He is a left-handed older version of Eloy. Both will hit 35 homers knock in 80+ runs and are below average LF.

I think any of that 4 could be a 2. But as we saw w Gio, they also could be an ace as well. Both Keuchel and Bumgarner have some really good years on their resume although is was 3-4 years ago.

The Sox really don't have an established #1 starter yet. Certainly Gio was this year but he needs to duplicate it again. Kopech may turn out to be but it might take a few years. It would be great to get a # 1 or 2 starter even if we pass on Cole. Then add a 4 or 5 with the other add. So I also hope for one of the 2-7 and then a second arm.

In the Boston media, I don't think there is a clear reason why Betts wants to be a free agent. He seems very animated in games and seems to be very much a part of the team. He is from Tennessee so no mention of a West Coast desire. Obviously in Boston he gets a ton of media attention and plays before big crowd. Never see anything negative about him in the press. Maybe there was some issue w Dombrowski but time will tell. So I assume he just wants the attention of being "the free agent" and getting a big day day. So I am not sure getting him as a rental gives a team the inside track as it appears he has that in Boston and has turned down supposed big bucks several times.

Agree as does MLB Trade Rumors. They project Betts to make $28Mil in arbitration so he will cost a lot both ways. Teams also aren’t going to clear out their farm systems for just one year of Betts, though Boston can reasonably assume to top what the Diamondbacks received from the Cardinals for Goldschmidt last December. Betts is over five years younger than Goldschmidt and a more valuable defensive player, so the Red Sox will definitely aim for more than the already-impressive package the D’Backs received — a controllable young starter (Luke Weaver), a controllable young everyday catcher (Carson Kelly), a Competitive Balance Round B pick in the 2019 draft, and another prospect in infielder Andy Young, currently ranked by MLB.com as the 23rd-best Diamondbacks minor leaguer.