Timmy U

One key difference: Fulmer has never dominated at any minor league level. Hansen led the minors in K’s. Hansen just needs to return to form. Fulmer needs to form.

Equally important, also said he was in a good place mentally.

Fixed it.

Getz had nice things to say about Hansen on the broadcast today. Still cautiously optimistic.

Well, the choices are Eloy, Engel, Jay OR Palka, Jay, Eloy, so... clone him?

I get it’s the DR, but I think Eloy’s mom is a cop and his dad is a teacher/basketball coach, so I don’t think he grew up in abject poverty. Still, good for him. Face of the franchise, and if he carries it over from the minors, a potential leader.

I think that is possible since they recently hired his uncle.

Ah, but here’s the beauty: For luxury tax purposes he counts $12.5 million because that’s the average, but the Sox won’t actually have to pay him $12.5 million. It is not a front-loaded contract. Think of this like commodity trading. The Sox are buying $100 million worth of 2026 Eloy futures. They bet by the end of the contract, that will be worth like $150 million. And, they get to pay on the installment plan with big balloon payments near the end. Future value of money works in their favor here.

Yeah, he did. Couldn’t tell if it was lack of confidence, discomfort with being interviewed, or sadness reliving his nightmare season. I agree, it’s crucial for him to get off to a decent start.

Robert cost something like $46 million, half of which had to be paid upfront, at age 20. Jimenez would cost $100 million spread out over 8 years at age 22. Jimenez counts $12.5 million against a $200 million luxury tax cap. The money spent on Robert obliterated their pool and meant he would be the only significant LatAm pool signing for three years. Yeah, they’re different: the Robert signing is waaaay riskier. If Jimenez busts, all you’re out is money. Now, I get what you’re saying re: bidding. Other teams were vying for Robert’s services, whereas The Sox imagine the market for Jimenez will be higher in the out years and are trying to lock in cost certainty. I suppose it all comes down to projection. I agree with the Sox that he’s going to be good and that the benefits of cost certainty, luxury tax flexibility, and the extra control outweigh the monetary risk. You disagree. We’ll see, won’t we? Philosophically, they’re not crazy.

I like it. Since, for luxury tax purposes, they take average salary, I say spend as much money in these non-competitive years as possible. $12.5 million of the deal would count against this year when they have payroll space to burn. And as far as the "never played in the majors" argument, this is only about double the outlay for Robert, a guy who had never played in the MINORS. I like paying for young talent instead of, say Nova, Alonso, and Jay. They're more than $20 million of just dead money. Also, the Moncada argument doesn't work for me because a) they never offered him anything like this, so maybe they knew he'd struggle at the start b) he probably wouldn't have taken it anyway since he's got $26 million in the bank.

Hansen was Garfien’s guest on the podcast. Seems like a good kid. He’s rooming this spring with Cease and Lambert. Says forearm affected him, and he lost 40 pounds last year. Says he is back to previous weight. Feels strong and is throwing well in his bullpens. He has got a live batting practice I think on Thursday, then he’s going to pitch in a minor league game. After listening to him, I am cautiously optimistic. Can’t say that about many things this spring.

Catcher: Castillo, McCann 1b: Abreu 2b: Yolmer Sanchez ss: Anderson 3b: Moncada lf: Palka cf: Engel rf: Jay dh: Alonso Rotation: *Rodon, Lopez, Giolito, Nova, Santana Bullpen: Herrera, Colome, Jones, *Fry, *Banuelos, Minaya, Hamilton, Vieira Engel goes down for Eloy, Jay and Leury keep center warm for the year. Covey starts in the minors.

No matter how well he does in the minors, I doubt the Sox would want Eloy and Lu Bob eligible for FA the same year.

If you move Eloy to first and rotate outfielders into the DH slot, you could pick 3. To me, they are closely bunched. Have no idea who's going to be really good and who's going to bust. Reminds me of when the Sox had Magglio, Cameron, and Jeff Abbott in the minors. Abbott couldn't throw and he changed his swing to try to get more power, which ruined his career. The other two, obviously, had outstanding careers.

I live in NYC and already have tickets to freeze my butt off vs. the Yankees in April. I’ll watch a lot and go to games here and then fly to Chicago a couple of times this summer because I am a masochist. I want to see Cease’s debut. I would fly to Chi to see Lu Bob’s, but he won’t be up this year.

Define “unreasonably.” Cuz it seems reasonable to me.

How is it his fault? He just wrote down what Kenny said.

Huh? In what system of morality is this a distinction?

Ugh. First of all, this idea is just immoral. Second, why would anyone want to watch more Jon Jay if they don’t have to?

Two guys who can help us feel better, imho, are Rutherford and Gonzalez. Both capable of making a leap.

But why blame the people who do show up for not being more?

It is actually 3 weeks.

What do suggest to increase his spin rate? If Trevor Bauer is to be believed, the Astros use clear pine tar.

Lambert has an well above average spin rate. Giolito is a different animal.