The 2021-2022 Offseason Thread

[Bellhorn04]

Tension is building and expectations running high as we approach the culmination of the Steve Matz Lottery!!

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/steven-matz-expected-to-sign-this-week.html

 

You heard it here first! Soon we will know the decision! Soon we will know what team has won the right to proudly display this extremely mediocre and replaceable pitcher!!

 

He's a Cardinal. 4/44 (after being projected for 3/27).

 

Yeah, I think teams still have some money.

[notin]

He's a Cardinal. 4/44 (after being projected for 3/27).

 

Yeah, I think teams still have some money.

 

Apparently they have money.

 

Still trying to figure out the advantage of Matz over Danny Duffy…

[oldtimer]

The question remains in my mind. Is Bloom serious about making the Sox much more competitive for 2022 or is he instead trying to tread water until some of our remaining contracts come off the books? Priice, JDM and Eovaldi will free up a lot of money for 2023 although Eovaldi is certainly not overpaid. Will Bloom continue to strengthen thee minors and get a few mid player players on short contracts this year and coast until 2023. As we see more starters go to other teams for multiyear contracts one can certainly question Blooms strategy for 2022.

[mvp 78]

He's a Cardinal. 4/44 (after being projected for 3/27).

 

Yeah, I think teams still have some money.

 

I'm glad the Sox didn't do that deal.

[mvp 78]

The question remains in my mind. Is Bloom serious about making the Sox much more competitive for 2022 or is he instead trying to tread water until some of our remaining contracts come off the books? Priice, JDM and Eovaldi will free up a lot of money for 2023 although Eovaldi is certainly not overpaid. Will Bloom continue to strengthen thee minors and get a few mid player players on short contracts this year and coast until 2023. As we see more starters go to other teams for multiyear contracts one can certainly question Blooms strategy for 2022.

 

How can you get much more competitive than reaching the ALCS?

[Hugh2]

The question remains in my mind. Is Bloom serious about making the Sox much more competitive for 2022 or is he instead trying to tread water until some of our remaining contracts come off the books? Priice, JDM and Eovaldi will free up a lot of money for 2023 although Eovaldi is certainly not overpaid. Will Bloom continue to strengthen thee minors and get a few mid player players on short contracts this year and coast until 2023. As we see more starters go to other teams for multiyear contracts one can certainly question Blooms strategy for 2022.

 

The Sox were two games away from a world series, so I think they plan on being competitive in 2022.

 

They stayed under the luxury tax limit in 2021, now the new CBA could have huge implications but all things considered, this "reset" puts Bloom in a position where ownership is ok with him going over the luxury tax for the right guys.

 

We have better organizational depth than we've had in years, some top hitters coming up in the pipeline, and a very deep FA class up the middle.

 

We might see a big splash or two this offseason, but the odds are Bloom is going to pull off a bunch of smaller and mid-level moves that will ultimately improve this team but people will hate because it's not Carlos Correra. Bloom understands it's not just about your best player, but it's also about having a better 24th, 25th, and 26th player on your team than the competition. I expect a better product on the field than 2021.

[mvp 78]

The Sox were two games away from a world series, so I think they plan on being competitive in 2022.

 

They stayed under the luxury tax limit in 2021, now the new CBA could have huge implications but all things considered, this "reset" puts Bloom in a position where ownership is ok with him going over the luxury tax for the right guys.

 

We have better organizational depth than we've had in years, some top hitters coming up in the pipeline, and a very deep FA class up the middle.

 

We might see a big splash or two this offseason, but the odds are Bloom is going to pull off a bunch of smaller and mid-level moves that will ultimately improve this team but people will hate because it's not Carlos Correra. Bloom understands it's not just about your best player, but it's also about having a better 24th, 25th, and 26th player on your team than the competition. I expect a better product on the field than 2021.

 

Anyone they sign prior to the CBA will most likely be short on years just because they don't know the outlook on the luxury tax. I'll think that's why they've missed out on a few guys so far. Once the CBA is agreed upon, they'll be more likely to sign a longer term deal unless things drastically change with the tax calculation.

[Hugh2]

Anyone they sign prior to the CBA will most likely be short on years just because they don't know the outlook on the luxury tax. I'll think that's why they've missed out on a few guys so far. Once the CBA is agreed upon, they'll be more likely to sign a longer term deal unless things drastically change with the tax calculation.

 

The one thing that has impressed me about Bloom is how he casts a wide net, he looks at so many different ways to improve a team. There are two dynamics at play with huge possible implications this winter. First is the CBA, which can change things, and the second is something Bloom has never had before....a bigger budget. I'm interested to see what he does with it.

[mvp 78]

The #1 pick in last year's Rule 5 Draft was José Soriano. Soriano is a guy who was out all year on IL similar to Ward. Pirates paid him MLB minimum this season to rehab, burn an option year and then just send him back to the Angels on 11/14.

 

If Ward is selected, there is a good chance that he is returned.

 

Of the 18 guys selected last year, only 8 were never offered back to the original club. Baddoo and Whitlock were notable as they actually stayed with the new club and performed. That's not generally the outlook for Rule 5 guys.

[Bellhorn04]

The question remains in my mind. Is Bloom serious about making the Sox much more competitive for 2022 or is he instead trying to tread water until some of our remaining contracts come off the books? Priice, JDM and Eovaldi will free up a lot of money for 2023 although Eovaldi is certainly not overpaid. Will Bloom continue to strengthen thee minors and get a few mid player players on short contracts this year and coast until 2023. As we see more starters go to other teams for multiyear contracts one can certainly question Blooms strategy for 2022.

 

Good heavens. The only long-term contracts to starters so far are E-Rod and Matz.

[mvp 78]

Good heavens. The only long-term contracts to starters so far are E-Rod and Matz.

 

ERod 5/77

Matz 4/144

Graveman 3/24

DeSclafani 3/36

 

2 years: Verlander

1 year: Syndergaard, Morton, Quintana, Wainright, Heaney

 

For some reason, I thought Stroman had a 4 year offer from the Cardinals. That must have been just a rumor.

[mvp 78]

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to move this year’s deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players up from December 2 to November 30 at 8:00 pm EST.

 

Potential non-tender candidates for the Sox: Renfroe, Plawecki, Schreiber, Valdez, Arroyo

[a700hitter]

Matz to the Cards. Another SP comes off the boards. Graveman to White Sox. IMO he is an elite reliever and he will team up with Hendricks and Kimbrel. That will be tough at the end of games.

 

Will we get a Thanksgiving acquisition as in years gone bye?

[notin]

Matz to the Cards. Another SP comes off the boards. Graveman to White Sox. IMO he is an elite reliever and he will team up with Hendricks and Kimbrel. That will be tough at the end of games.

 

Will we get a Thanksgiving acquisition as in years gone bye?

 

Graveman had a great year as a relief pitcher, but this was his first season in the bullpen. Prior to 2021, he was just another oft-injured and occasionally effective starter.

 

There might be another questionable starter on the board who could be converted into a very effective relief pitcher. I’m thinking Jose Urena…

[Bellhorn04]

Matz to the Cards. Another SP comes off the boards. Graveman to White Sox. IMO he is an elite reliever and he will team up with Hendricks and Kimbrel. That will be tough at the end of games.

 

Will we get a Thanksgiving acquisition as in years gone bye?

 

I wouldn't bet on it.

[mvp 78]

Matz to the Cards. Another SP comes off the boards. Graveman to White Sox. IMO he is an elite reliever and he will team up with Hendricks and Kimbrel. That will be tough at the end of games.

 

Will we get a Thanksgiving acquisition as in years gone bye?

 

Kimbrel is a choker.

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't bet on it.

 

Agree.

[Old Red]

Matz to the Cards. Another SP comes off the boards. Graveman to White Sox. IMO he is an elite reliever and he will team up with Hendricks and Kimbrel. That will be tough at the end of games.

 

Will we get a Thanksgiving acquisition as in years gone bye?

 

Doesn’t look like it. Rule 5 the next move?

[moonslav59]

Cards paying $44M/4 with bonuses that could add $4M.

 

MLBTR projected $27M/3.

 

SEA & LAA looking at Gausman.

 

I still think we'll get our best pitcher by trade.

[moonslav59]

Doesn’t look like it. Rule 5 the next move?

 

Will they suspend the Rule 5, if there is a lock out?

[Old Red]

Cards paying $44M/4 with bonuses that could add $4M.

 

MLBTR projected $27M/3.

 

SEA & LAA looking at Gausman.

 

I still think we'll get our best pitcher by trade.

 

You mean pitchers?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

You mean pitchers?

 

Better get used to the idea that some will come from Worcester.

[Old Red]

Better get used to the idea that some will come from Worcester.

 

It’s looking more like it.

[Bellhorn04]

We sure are making calls early LOL

[mvp 78]

We sure are making calls early LOL

 

This is the way.

[mvp 78]

Better get used to the idea that some will come from Worcester.

 

I'm not sure they will rely on any 2021 Worcester arms for the opening day roster.

[Bellhorn04]

This is the way.

 

Somebody wake up Chaim.

[mvp 78]

Somebody wake up Chaim.

 

No zoom loon Bloom won't go vroom soon. The gloom goon fumes and booms a doom tomb tune.

[notin]

I'm not sure they will rely on any 2021 Worcester arms for the opening day roster.

 

That can be changed with one bout of forearm tightness…

[dgalehouse]

It wouldn't be the off season without folks griping about how slow it is developing. Happens every year. In my opinion , the Sox don't need to do too much. The lineup is good , with or without Schwarber. Move one , if not both, of Whitlock and Houck to the rotation. Concentrate and spend the resources on strengthening the bullpen. This is where so many games are won or lost these days.