Superstar Lamar

The Sox were so thoughtful in bringing him up early to start the clock I'm sure Kopech will be kind enough to return the favor for them.

Going to enjoy watching Kopech beat the Cubs with a division on the line

The Madrigal Mystery Tour

The Madrigal World Of Nicky

I hope this question has no relevance to the team by 2020

But I believe JR lead the opposition to his approval.

how many innings is he expected to throw this year. He is likely to be shut down before the season ends which means if you bring him up you probably only get two months out of him anyway

I think the most excited people for the Sox at the trade deadline will be Reinsdorf and his investors as I think it will bring salary relief. I would be happy if they devoted the savings for use in free agency this off season

and really, is there any reason for this not to be true? There is plausible deniability right now for waiting to bring him up in May 2019. Take advantage of it.

I've written here before that I think the key on both of those guys is going to be front loading the contract in the first two years with a player opt out after year 2. I think the Sox are position better than just about anyone to give $80 million (or more) in those first two years. I wouldn't even be concerned about the overall contract value if I were the Sox as there is a very small chance he doesn't opt out.

It would be an interesting twist if Rutherford eventually batted against Kahnle in the minors

In looking at the situation, I wonder what teams would be able to swallow the poison pill of $40 million per year for two years and still operate well as an organization?

Also lost in all the "Almora is like a brother" narrative of every writer this week is that Machado has a very strong relationship with Wellington Castillo.

I assume all offers for Machado will include opt outs within 3 years (probably 2) which he will most definitely invoke. The Sox can offer some outrageous number in those first two years because the rest of the payroll will be so low during that period. So I don't see why the Sox would even blink at offering slightly above market on a 10 year deal but well above market in the first two years of the deal. Guarantee 70-80 million in those two years and see what you can do with Machado, Abreu, Jimenez and Moncada in year 1 surrounded by guys like Castillo, Avi, Davidson and Anderson. There aren't a lot of teams that will be able to make their payroll work with adding 40 million into one player for each year but it shouldn't make the Sox blink. From Machado's perspective, even if it doesn't work he is out of here in 2 years 80 million richer at the age of 28.

It won't be long now. Tilson is starting to get his hitting in line after a year off. Give him another 50 or so good at bats and he will be here to replace Engal.

JR refuses to negotiate with agents when hiring managerial talent which limits the available pool for the Sox. I suspect the next Sox manager will be someone currently in their minor leagues.

I'd say Alex Fernandez rather than Burger

Oddly obscure but sure, why not? Go Sox!

Your Delta Tau Chi nickname is...Pinto

QUOTE (wrathofhahn @ Feb 26, 2018 -> 04:59 PM) Five years is stupid there is no reason to offer him that kind of length. I'd do 3/33 or possibly 4/42 backloaded with an opt out after two. Who are we bidding against? Why back load it? If anything I would think front loading it would fit better. Payroll is low this year and a low salary would make him more tradeable if necessary in the future

It's difficult to find that G spot

I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox could move Soria by the end of spring training if they were willing to eat some of the remaining salary. I don't think that will happen and I wouldn't recommend it.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 5, 2018 -> 10:19 AM) This peripherals argument is weak. I look at his peripherals in 2016 and they suggest he is well on the road to done. Now his peripherals, like his traditional stats improve and suddenly he is a good flip candidate. The trade was fine, but lets not talk about him being a good flip candidate. A good flip candidate gets you something interesting back. This guy will get you maybe, if all goes well, a 26 year old in A ball who throws 100 and walks about 1 an inning. He will get you Jake Peters back. Avilan will get you a little more than that. That sounds like a fairly boring win situation to me, but a win nonetheless

I wonder if they could make a play on Frazier by taking on a bad contract like Ellsbury