What are your realistic expectations of Chris Sale for the 2021 season?

[moonslav59]

Well, I think we only call him an "Ace" because of his post-season performance, especially the game against Verlander. During the regular season, he was actually rather vanilla. Losing W-L record. 2.5 fWAR. Good ERA, but his 2 of his next 3 seasons were better...

 

His 2013 season was as good as his 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Angels. Maybe not quite ace or even really close, but I still thought of him as an ace who had been pitching hurt.

 

I'm not saying I was sure he'd pitch like an ace, just like I wasn't sure Schilling would due to his age.

 

[notin]

His 2013 season was as good as his 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Angels. Maybe not quite ace or even really close, but I still thought of him as an ace who had been pitching hurt.

 

I'm not saying I was sure he'd pitch like an ace, just like I wasn't sure Schilling would due to his age.

 

 

His 2013 season with Boston was only worth 2.5 fWAR. He was worth more for Boston in 2010, when he was worth 3.3.

 

His 2008 season was only worth 1.4 fWAR, but his 2009 was worth 3.3. He really peaked in 2005 through 2007, when he was worth 15.6 fWAR...

[Kimmi]

One might think that the continued positive reports on Sale and E-Rod would move the Sox in the direction of not punting 2021. I never really thought they would punt it, but doubts do begin to creep in.

 

I don't think they're punting. I expect a flurry of moves (not big moves) to come at some point before spring training.

[mvp 78]

I don't think they're punting. I expect a flurry of moves (not big moves) to come at some point before spring training.

 

My concern level is a 5 out of 10 now.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I don't think they're punting. I expect a flurry of moves (not big moves) to come at some point before spring training.

 

Flurries can melt by the afternoon. I never expected a blizzard that would lock down the division, but I did expect something measurable -- at least to keep posters busy shoveling it...

[moonslav59]

My concern level is a 5 out of 10 now.

 

Mine went from 1 to 2.

 

There are still plenty of talented players available (FA & by trade).

 

Maybe Bloom likes someone else more than A. Bradley.

[Bellhorn04]

Mine went from 1 to 2.

 

There are still plenty of talented players available (FA & by trade).

 

Maybe Bloom likes someone else more than A. Bradley.

 

Mets are reportedly close to a deal with Hand. Guess it ain't him...

[mvp 78]

Mets are reportedly close to a deal with Hand. Guess it ain't him...

 

Now that players are starting to sign, they need to actually get a move on.

[notin]

Mine went from 1 to 2.

 

There are still plenty of talented players available (FA & by trade).

 

Maybe Bloom likes someone else more than A. Bradley.

 

Hopefully.

 

There are still a fwe good relievers out there. Soxprospects.com thinks the Sox need 1 reliever. but I would greatly prefer getting two.

 

Some of the better ones still available include:

 

Keone Kela

Brad Hand

Brad Peacock

Trevor Rosenthal

Brad Workman

Kirby Yates

Hector Rondon

Chris Devenski

Yusmeiro Petit

Alex Colome

 

Most of them have not had any public rumors attached yet. But then until yesterday, neither did Bradley...

[moonslav59]

Hopefully.

 

There are still a fwe good relievers out there. Soxprospects.com thinks the Sox need 1 reliever. but I would greatly prefer getting two.

 

Some of the better ones still available include:

 

Keone Kela

Brad Hand

Brad Peacock

Trevor Rosenthal

Brad Workman

Kirby Yates

Hector Rondon

Chris Devenski

Yusmeiro Petit

Alex Colome

 

Most of them have not had any public rumors attached yet. But then until yesterday, neither did Bradley...

 

If we only get one, it better be one of the top 2-3 on your list.

 

If Hand signs with the Mets, I go to DEFCOM 3.

[notin]

If we only get one, it better be one of the top 2-3 on your list.

 

If Hand signs with the Mets, I go to DEFCOM 3.

 

Well, they are in no particular order. I guess my top 3 from that list are Hand, Rosenthal and, hmmm... Kela?

[a700hitter]

I thought Yates was injured.

[mvp 78]

I thought Yates was injured.

 

The 33-year-old right-hander ranked among the elite closers in all of baseball before missing a large majority of the truncated 2020 season due to an elbow issue that would eventually require a minor surgery. He is expected to be fully recovered by the beginning of spring training in 2021 and would be a good low-risk gamble for a range of different clubs if the reported asking price is accurate.

[notin]

I thought Yates was injured.

 

He might be. I did not verify the health of anyone when I threw that list together.

 

Devenski is another guy who always seems to be hurt...

[moonslav59]

Well, they are in no particular order. I guess my top 3 from that list are Hand, Rosenthal and, hmmm... Kela?

 

I was thinking Yates, but if he's hurt, I amend my statement to top 2.

[moonslav59]

He might be. I did not verify the health of anyone when I threw that list together.

 

Devenski is another guy who always seems to be hurt...

 

Let's say we get none of the top 2-3. Maybe the next best scenario would be to get two of the best 2nd tier RP'ers.

 

If we don't get Hand, Rosenthal or Yates, what are the best 2 left?

[notin]

Let's say we get none of the top 2-3. Maybe the next best scenario would be to get two of the best 2nd tier RP'ers.

 

If we don't get Hand, Rosenthal or Yates, what are the best 2 left?

 

Colome and Peacock?

 

Maybe Yusmeiro Petit? He seems to be underrated and undervalued every season...

[moonslav59]

Colome and Peacock?

 

Maybe Yusmeiro Petit? He seems to be underrated and undervalued every season...

 

That's pretty close to the very minimum I expected on building up the pen, if not below.

[dgalehouse]

I expect the Sox to make a significant move , probably more than one , very shortly. Bloom is a patient guy , but the situation really demands some action beyond a few depth ( aka jabroni) signings. Look for something soon.

[moonslav59]

I expect the Sox to make a significant move , probably more than one , very shortly. Bloom is a patient guy , but the situation really demands some action beyond a few depth ( aka jabroni) signings. Look for something soon.

 

I agree. There might be a wait for one shoe to drop. He might have a deal in place but are waiting for the other team to commit, and we have a contingency deal on the burner in case the first deal does not get done. The other team may be trying for something else first.

[mvp 78]

I agree. There might be a wait for one shoe to drop. He might have a deal in place but are waiting for the other team to commit, and we have a contingency deal on the burner in case the first deal does not get done. The other team may be trying for something else first.

 

What shoe are they waiting for?

[notin]

What shoe are they waiting for?

 

The ones worn by Bauer and/or Springer?

[moonslav59]

What shoe are they waiting for?

 

I don't know. Maybe a team is looking to sign Springer, and if they lose out, they have an agreement to trade for Beni, which then triggers Bloom making 2-3 other moves that he needs to wait on, until he knows he gets a certain player back for Beni.

[mvp 78]

I don't know. Maybe a team is looking to sign Springer, and if they lose out, they have an agreement to trade for Beni, which then triggers Bloom making 2-3 other moves that he needs to wait on, until he knows he gets a certain player back for Beni.

 

Imagine hoping for Springer, but winding up with Beni... Yikes.

[Bellhorn04]

Imagine hoping for Springer, but winding up with Beni... Yikes.

 

With a little more payroll flexibility too, though LOL

[moonslav59]

With a little more payroll flexibility too, though LOL

 

Yes, it would mean Springer vs Beni _____, + _____.

[Kimmi]

My concern level is a 5 out of 10 now.

 

Have faith. My concern level is a 1 out of 10, although given my knack for being wrong, that might cause a rise in your concern level.

[Kimmi]

Flurries can melt by the afternoon. I never expected a blizzard that would lock down the division, but I did expect something measurable -- at least to keep posters busy shoveling it...

 

The offseason is still young...

[Kimmi]

I expect the Sox to make a significant move , probably more than one , very shortly. Bloom is a patient guy , but the situation really demands some action beyond a few depth ( aka jabroni) signings. Look for something soon.

 

I don't know if we agree on what significant is, but I agree that something is coming beyond just depth moves.

[Bellhorn04]

The offseason is still young...

 

It's more like middle-aged now...