Yes, they do have money to get whoever they want.... HOWEVER, all the OF in free agency are trash/not good pickups.. So I guess your statement is correct about having all the money, but sadly there is no OF to spend it on wisely.
I agree... If the Sox never expect or want to go above 130 million.. And if that's the case, it doesn't matter what they do, they've failed as an organization.. One terrible contract shouldn't kill you, assuming they're still productive.. which Price is.
It solves 2 major issues in trade rather than FA. You get your RF (very strong) and your second SP for what 40 million, if we did this in FA we'd be spending 25 million for far inferior talent (Kuechel 15 mil and Calhoun 10 mil)? So I'll pay the additional 15 million. We then have like 30 million left to spend? I think you can still pursue Wheeler (20 million), and if money is left offer Encarnacion 1 year 10 million. Payroll would be around 130million then.
Benni would for sure play RF.. This would be a no brainer IF it was even an option. Benni has serious upside. Price isn't just a scrub now, he is still a decent pitcher when pitching. If he were in this free agent class I would have no doubt he would be behind Ryu as the 7th best pitcher, ahead of guys like Kuechel, wood, hill and many others being discussed.
Honestly no.. I am not huge on MadBum or Castellanos as our 2 big "gets". I am fine with Encarnacion and Kuechel as our 3 and 4 pieces though. Sub either Wheeler for MadBum OR Grandal for Castellanos and I would be fine with it.
If I offer on a house 80,000 and the other guy offers 100,000. And the asking price was 105,000, do you really think the seller will give me (the 80,000 offerer) a chance again? No, they won't. They'll accept the 100,000
What would it realistically take to get Conforto? I imagine a propsect in the 70-100 range PLUS a few other interesting prospects.. We don't really have a guy that fits that.. but what about a Dunning + Rutherford/Walker/Basabe + a prospect in the 20-30 range.. I think Dunning would have to headline. So more depth but they won't be getting the higher prospect they probably could from us. I'd love Conforto he literally checks all our boxes. Middle of the order bat, LH, fine RF defense, control and he plays for a team that needs to probably rid themselves of an OF. I think he can be had.