ChiSoxFanMike

I think Murakami was a fantastic signing and I’m also a fan of the pitching signings they have made. They just need to spend more to fill in the rest of the gaps.

“Great off-season” is a stretch. I’d say it’s like a B or B- offseason as of now. Still have massive holes in the rotation and all the outfield spots.

Does anyone know when this was recorded? Getz mentions a significant reliever at around the 23 second mark. I’m assuming that’s in reference to Domínguez but not sure.

He had a 65 wRC+ last year in 193 plate apperances. I suppose he could improve with more reps, but that’s a pretty big jump.

I would be stunned if Acuna could even put up an 88 wRC+. Hope I’m wrong.

Nothing to lose by putting Sosa in LF. Hopefully they experiment with that in spring training. It could be the Vaughn/Sheets thing all over again, but it’s by far the easiest way to get his bat in the lineup.

I feel like Boston wouldn’t do that straight up, but who knows. Maybe include Sosa or something and they include a lesser pitcher.

Hey Jerry how’s it going?

That would be annoying.

Yeah I certainly wouldn’t want to give him a contract longer than a year. If he’s willing to take a 1 year deal, bring him in.

I’m not ready at all to give up on Baldwin defensively in the outfield. I’m hoping they give him consistent playing time at one position so he can master it. Benintendi is what he is, just have to deal with him for a little while longer.

Baldwin has been better against RHP so far in MLB, while Acuna and Pereira have been better against LHP (all small samples). Benintendi was actually better against LHP than RHP last year, but historically has been the opposite. vs RHP LF: Benintendi CF: Acuna RF: Baldwin vs LHP LF: Hays CF: Acuna RF: Pereira There are a ton of moving parts here, but bringing in Hays could give Venable more options to pick and choose matchups.

I’d like to see what Paez can do in spring training as a Rule 5 guy. I also wouldn’t get rid of Berroa and Bush as they are coming back from TJ. The others I’m fine with losing.

I’m guessing Benintendi and Baldwin will get most of the at-bats against RHP’s anyway. Not sure about RF, maybe Kelenic if he makes the team. Either way, Hays feels like a natural fit for this roster especially against LHP.

I see Hays as a better version of Austin Slater, who I thought did pretty well and served a purpose last year.

Hays hit .319 with a .949 OPS against LHP last year, granted it was a fairly small sample. Nobody knows what the outfield will look like on Opening Day, but it’s hard to imagine there not being a good number of at-bats for a guy like him.

I think adding a guy like Hays would be good for both him and Benintendi. You could cherry pick matchups for both and give both more rest in hopes of keeping them healthy.

Yep. They are very left handed heavy right now (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), but some balance would be nice. There would be plenty of at-bats for him to give guys like Benintendi a day off against lefties.

Regarding the outfield, I think Hays is the best option. I’m in agreement that I don’t want to pay Bader off a career year. I liked Tauchman last year, but he is starting to fall off durability wise and isn’t getting any younger. Conforto just sucks now and I don’t think they would get much of anything for him at the deadline even if he bounced back to an extent. That leaves Hays. He has connections to Fuller from Baltimore, had a fairly good season last year, has some pop, and mashed lefties. He also has experience in both corners and would add a much needed righty bat to this lineup. Shouldn’t be that expensive either. I think he’s the guy on a 1 year deal.

All good. Sox definitely need another SP, just have to find one that they wouldn’t have to give up a draft pick to sign.

Problem with Gallen and Valdez is that they have the QO attached to them. As much as I’d like to improve the rotation, I don’t think they are in the position to be forfeiting draft picks just yet.

My guesses on their remaining signings: - Austin Hays (Fuller connection) - Griffin Canning (rumored interest in him, maybe has some upside) - German Marquez (very cheap/NRI type deal as an innings eater just in case)

I like this signing a lot. They needed a proven leverage reliever and he has closer experience. And as others have said, he could be a very good trade chip if he performs. And even in a scenario where he’s a disappointment, it’s only a 2 year deal that won’t cripple them in the long term.

Where’s Brent Lillibridge when you need him?