tray

Yes, we think that ....but they haven't shown their hand yet. If they trade for Arenado this may all prove to be about positioning to win...at any cost, again. Ricketts has been spending like a drunken sailor since he purchased the franchise. They have all but gold plated the old confines into something that many older Cub fans no longer recognize.

If the Cubs allegedly threw a lot at Bryant ( as we suspect happened) and no agreement could be reached, then his trade value is diminished given the uncertainty that would confront any team considering a trade for him. This fiasco may prove to be pretty brutal for Cubs and their fans depending on how this all works out. Looking from the outside as a Sox fan, It seemed to me that the dynamic duo of Bryant/Rizzo was as important to the Cubs as Toews/Kane was to the Hawks over the years. I guess they can throw out all of their Kris Bryant jerseys now. So the Cubs don't want to throw big money at Kris Bryant but they may be willing to trade talent to get Arenado for $35 Million a year for seven years. This is not about loyalty to a franchise player that helped the Cubs finally win a WS and worse, it may look like bad blood and unfair dealing with Bryant. Or it is just about winning at any and all costs where money (to the Ricketts) is no object. Time to upgrade. Bye bye Kris Bryant.

The Cubs/Ricketts could resolve Chris Bryant's playing time manipulation case at any time by signing him to an extension. Instead the Ricketts have chosen to make an agreement with Bryant for the 2020 season in order to avoid arbitration while simultaneously proceeding with the Grievance. IMO, Ricketts will probably have to extend Bryant regardless of the outcome of the grievance case. Otherwise they are just kicking the can down the road. Was one extra year of contractual control of Bryant really worth all of this trouble and possibly alienating Bryant from wanting to play for the Cubs organization? The Cub/Bryant fiasco should be instructive for teams that find themselves playing the same game as the Cubs did. If a team believes in a player, then consider signing him up on a long term deal like the White Sox did with Eloy and Robert. In cases where a team is justifiably reticent to enter into a long term contract with a prospect (like Madrigal) that is fine, but then bring him up if /when he is ready instead of keeping him in the minors in order to play the service time game.

This is similar to the argument Lillian had made in another thread about keeping McCann rather than Collins,* if * it came to a choice about which one to trade. In short, if Grandal went on the DL for an extended time and Collins was relied on as a starting catcher for an extended period, that might not be acceptable.

That is the likely reason for considering Maybin. Engel is a better role player but he would be unacceptable as a full time outfielder if Robert, Mazara or Eloy had to go on the DL for an extended time. So , yes to Maybin if they can get him. There may not be enough room on the roster for Engel if the Sox sign Maybin and start the season with Mendick at second. Engel is borderline major league material so this should not be a major issue if it comes to that.

Not baffling Ray-Ray.. Religious and social issues are paramount in politics and always will be. Core beliefs are indoctrinated into young children before they are able to process data with any substantial life experience and learning. It's also why no one can tell us not to be White Sox fans. We weren't born this way, but most of us got indoctrinated shortly thereafter and our allegiance will never change.

Schools need to get money from somewhere. Tax revenue from marijuana sales to students....and teachers.

Stone has has had some hits and misses.

Cubs (and Epstein) were lucky to win one by the skin of their teeth in the 10th inning of Game 7 or they would still be looking for one and answering to the b1tchiest little fans in the game.

Cali" Do you think Cheslor Cuthbert is an option to hold down second base for a few weeks if the Sox decide to hold back Madrigal ?

Yes sir, let's serve it up one more time, By the way, McCann was on with a base hit so it was a two run jack.

I have always thought that the Cubs would sign Castellanos, The Rangers are probably giving the Rickettts a run for their (unlimited) money. If that is the case, Castellanos is going to get paid beyond what he is worth....maybe 20 Million/yr for 3- 5 years with an opt out. Cubs have been silent this off-season while the sound from the South side has been deafening, so that might pressure the Ricketts to make a big splash. They have money to burn and will not be overspent.

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Michael Kopech. link

That is the right thing to do.

There is a lot is symmetry and balance to our team as it now stands. I , for one, prefer that they do not risk upending that balance or the character of the team by signing a fukup like Puig or bringing back Yolmer the assclown. If Madrigal continues to show that he can play great defense and hit during Spring Training, I would bring him up on Opening Day despite potentially losing a year of contractual control. I said "potentially" because the Sox can always choose to extend him later this season or down the road. Having Madrigal in the starting lime-up on Opening Day means that the Sox don't have to futz with signing some infielder to start for a month, or making Leury platoon in the IF and OF which could dilute his effectiveness. So.... come out of the gate on Opening Day with Robert and Madrigal in the line-up. Develop team chemistry from the start, rack up as many wins as possible in the first two months, and bury the sh1t teams in the Division right off the bat.

There are hitters, like James McCann that have adjusted to a steady diet of outside sinkers and end up driving them for doubles into the gap in Right center . Avi Garcia made that adjustment in his All Star year. Pitchers became too confident that they could get him out on outside pitches so he finally reacted by anticipating location and leaning on those pitches. It's a cat and mouse game at the plate and sometimes the mice can outwit the cat. Don't worry about La Pantera.

Does Kenny Williams get any credit ?

" Oxilofrine is a stimulant of the amphetamine class ...Currently on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances, it is considered a performance-enhancing drug. " https://www.milb.com/south-atlantic/news/red-sox-no-10-prospect-kopech-suspended/c-136960248

I saw a similar shot when Kirk Gibson hit one over the RF roof at Old Comiskey....an inning or two after the Bull hit one on the LF roof.

Luis Robert's Twitter is @LuisRobert56 and he hasn't posted that picture, at least not that I recall. Luis reminds me of a larger, stronger version of Tim Anderson or, I hate to say, another young Sox outfielder that ended up playing for the Cubs. Tell me the Sox gave Robert an extensive physical and drug test before they signed him. Kopech was using peds before he came to the Sox. It wouldn't surprise me if Luis used them at some point as well since that shit is as common as Gatorade in gyms where guys are pumping iron and trying to bulk up.

I think the Sox are done with Yolmer. They want Abreu setting the tone, not that clown.

1993 Sox were not even close. Karko at catcher rather than Grandall ? How many home runs for the outfielders combined in '94?

If Mazara hit 35+ HR, I don't care if he sucks in the OF.

I agree Lillian. He isn't bulky. His build reminds me of Tori Hunter.

My guess is that Betts is staying in Boston on a long term deal for around 300M. He is a generational talent that the Red Sox will not let go. I thought and still think the Red Sox will trade Benintendi for the right package ...possibly something like Mazara , Collins, and a pitching prospect and/or taking on 2/3 of Eovaldi's contract in a trade deal. Absent some trade for a legit RFer, I would sign Castellanos and then trade Mazara at some point. Or come up with another plan to solve the RF problem rather than kicking the can down the road. My hope is that Nomar will hit enough home runs to make us forget about the rest of his game. That is what happened with Castellanos at Wrigley last year. And that should be as instructive as Castellanos defensive fWar. My guess is that the Cubs or the Giants will sign Castellanos.