Southwest Sider

It sounds like there's an agreement in principal. This doesn't make much sense, though, don't teams usually let the news out that there's been an agreement in principal at that point instead of vehemently denying it? Maybe Wheeler really was 14 minutes away from signing with the Sox and they have PTSD lol.

Ahhh Bruce. Accidentally called Steve Cishek Steve Madden, that was a nice laugh.

FWIW, Ozuna had his best offensive year of his career under our new hitting coach.

Itd be cool if Rendon was actually gettable. If your due diligence brings you to that conclusion, you sign him and worry about positions later. That bat is special.

I mean, I guess I don't blame the Sox if they are out... but who else are you going to go after? He's riskier than Wheeler, but there's a good chance Bum has a lot left in the tank. Are they really gonna sign a Boras client? (Ryu) Who else is there that could legitimately be a difference maker? It would be awesome if the unexpected spurn by their target, Wheeler, made them say screw it and be determined to not be outbid for Cole. One thing I think I know is that a Boras client will always take the most money, even if he "prefers the west".

QFT

I mean, offer 5/120 and see what happens? WTF? This is the guy you zoned in on and your max was like 5/110 or something? For a starting pitcher in a sellers market? Blow off. Grandal is nice and all but how are you going to fulfill your shopping list for 2 SPs now when this is the guy you zoned in on?

Tier D and F pitchers, or a trade.

When you ask the question "what now"? That's about all that is left. Out on Cole. Out on Strasburg. Probably out on Ryu. Probably out on Bumgarner. And Hahn still has to fulfill his 2 SP shopping list. Looks like we'll be dumpster diving and trading away assets now.

No fucking shit. Getting really tired of this garbage.

Gotta agree with this. If Sox balked at a bump above that price, then they really suck. Hot take or not, this was the guy they zoned in on.

I guess that's it.

Lol "word got out".

If only the Sox agreed with us... they know their internal valuations will never exceed what the Angels or Yankees will pay for Cole.

For whatever this is worth.

Actually, I disagree too. I meant to mention that in the Sox likely frame of mind, that is probably what they are thinking, which is why it already seems like a foregone conclusion that they will not be players for Strasburg or Cole.

I think that the Sox almost have to be ready to be the stupid team and go a 6th year on Wheeler. Hahn declared his shopping list of 2 SPs... unless they plan on going all-in for Cole or Strasburg than Wheeler is a must-have. You can't sell this fanbase on one of Ryu and Bumgarner and then one of Hamels or Nova as your "2 SPs". All we're asking for is a top 3. We're being reasonable fans, FFS! Wheeler at 6 years is still more comfortable than Cole or Stras at 7+.

This kind of stuff is always funny, because it can be deciphered as the team at the park celebrating that Wheeler chose them. Probably not, though.

Has this guy ever proven to be right about anything?

They should be able to get some good young prospects for him, but I don't think it will touch the Chris Sale package. In the meantime, this is addition by subtraction for the Sox. Takes a heck of a player (hopefully) out of our division.

He'd be a good fit. Hopefully the talks from last year help springboard these discussions.

MLB app dropping some eyeballs. Haha

It happens. Frankly, no matter what his expected price tag, the Sox should be doing their due diligence with Cole anyway. They should be meeting with him, attempting to woo him, all that jazz. By the time he signs, though, it's pretty likely that the Sox offseason is mostly concluded. But if they miss out on Wheeler, they need to go hard after Cole. Make the Yankees put their money where their mouth is and bid that shit up.