A Realistic View at 2023: Part I

[Dipre]

What is happening here?

[mvp 78]

What is happening here?

 

An archaeological dig.

[notin]

I don't think anyone is saying Eovaldi was a slam-dunk must-have. But he had a lot more upside than Kluber.

 

And Bloom said he would acquire a pitcher with upside. I guess that was just a whopper.

 

The Sox didn’t have 2023 to go by when they made the call. Where was Eovaldi’s upside in 2022 compared to Kluber?

 

Eovaldi also came with a lot more risk, especially given that he wanted multiple years…

[mvp 78]

The Sox didn’t have 2023 to go by when they made the call. Where was Eovaldi’s upside in 2022 compared to Kluber?

 

Eovaldi also came with a lot more risk, especially given that he wanted multiple years…

 

Eovaldi was younger and had that massive 2021 season. That's the upside. The downside was the length of the deal and the injury risk. He's pitching lights out for now.

[notin]

Eovaldi was younger and had that massive 2021 season. That's the upside. The downside was the length of the deal and the injury risk. He's pitching lights out for now.

 

I think this was a case of simply mitigating the risk. You can’t take on too many fragile arms and Sale and Paxton are already on board…

[Bellhorn04]

What is happening here?

 

You can blame it on me. Another poster said something about nobody wanting Eovaldi back, and I knew it was untrue. Nobody ever said that.

[Bellhorn04]

Eovaldi was younger and had that massive 2021 season. That's the upside. The downside was the length of the deal and the injury risk. He's pitching lights out for now.

 

The length of the deal - 2 freakin' guaranteed years!

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The length of the deal - 2 freakin' guaranteed years!

 

OmygoodnessgraciousRogerClemens!

[mvp 78]

I think this was a case of simply mitigating the risk. You can’t take on too many fragile arms and Sale and Paxton are already on board…

 

Then why did they offer him a contract in the first place last offseason?

[mvp 78]

The length of the deal - 2 freakin' guaranteed years!

 

How could they get out from under that???

[Dipre]

How could they get out from under that???

 

Go the Old Yeller route.

[notin]

Then why did they offer him a contract in the first place last offseason?

 

No idea. What were the details?

[notin]

The length of the deal - 2 freakin' guaranteed years!

 

Would you have gone three?

 

Texas has a third year player option (that kicks in if Eovaldi pitches 300IP in the first two years) that, with other incentives, can bring the deal to $63mill over 3 years. Should the Sox have gone 3 guaranteed years to top that? And at what AAV?

[mvp 78]

No idea. What were the details?

 

You'd have to ask Bloom. It hasn't been reported, but I heard that it was for more money than TEX offered. Maybe it was less AAV, but more years?

[notin]

You'd have to ask Bloom. It hasn't been reported, but I heard that it was for more money than TEX offered. Maybe it was less AAV, but more years?

 

So the Sox offered more money but Eovaldi still signed elsewhere? This doesn’t sound like the Sox FO just ignored the situation and let him walk…

[Maxbialystock]

So the Sox offered more money but Eovaldi still signed elsewhere? This doesn’t sound like the Sox FO just ignored the situation and let him walk…

 

Agree. Eovaldi is from Texas.

[Hugh2]

You can blame it on me. Another poster said something about nobody wanting Eovaldi back, and I knew it was untrue. Nobody ever said that.

 

I specifically remember listing Nate as a player the Sox should offer a QO too. When I did that on this board there was a lot of talk about not signing Nate. Some, wanted him but not offering the QO.

[Bellhorn04]

Agree. Eovaldi is from Texas.

 

He was from Texas when we signed him after 2018, too.

[notin]

He was from Texas when we signed him after 2018, too.

 

Ok but unless we know the Sox offer, this is all academic. Reportedly they offered more guaranteed money. Was the issue the years? Or was it the potential money Texas offered (that Eovaldi will likely never see)?

[notin]

I specifically remember listing Nate as a player the Sox should offer a QO too. When I did that on this board there was a lot of talk about not signing Nate. Some, wanted him but not offering the QO.

 

Offering. Nate a QO was a no-brainer. The subsequent offer has me wondering…

[Nick]

I loved Eovaldi signing the first time.

 

He signed the year before Porcello's final year of contract. I loved the timing of that signing. Bringing in someone solid before another departed.

[Bellhorn04]

Ok but unless we know the Sox offer, this is all academic. Reportedly they offered more guaranteed money. Was the issue the years? Or was it the potential money Texas offered (that Eovaldi will likely never see)?

 

Yeah, I think we've reached the dead horse stage with this.

[notin]

Yeah, I think we've reached the dead horse stage with this.

 

And when has that ever stopped us before?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Yeah, I think we've reached the dead horse stage with this.

 

A dead horse in Bloom's headless rotation is better than no horse.

[Bellhorn04]

And when has that ever stopped us before?

 

It'll probably come up again.

[notin]

It'll probably come up again.

 

Probably?

 

I promise you it will come up after each start by either pitcher between now and when they hit the IL…

[dgalehouse]

Although the Sox are settling a little deeper into the A.L. East basement , there is still plenty of season left. I don't think it is time to jump in the lifeboats just yet. Look around MLB .There are a few good teams that have not hit their stride as yet , most notably the Padres. It just takes one hot streak to turn things around. Much too soon to give up.

[Hugh2]

Offering. Nate a QO was a no-brainer. The subsequent offer has me wondering…

 

I thought it was a no-brainer, but 2/3 of this board at the end of last year did NOT think that way at all. I highly doubt Nate keeps up the year he's been having, and if he does.....good for him.

[mvp 78]

I thought it was a no-brainer, but 2/3 of this board at the end of last year did NOT think that way at all. I highly doubt Nate keeps up the year he's been having, and if he does.....good for him.

 

I don't remember it that way. QO seemed like a smart decision for Nate as he was a strong bet to not take it, but if he did, the upside was a solid starting rotation option for one year.

 

If you offered it to Wacha, there was a chance he'd take it and then underperform the 20M price tag considering his recent history.

[Hugh2]

I don't remember it that way. QO seemed like a smart decision for Nate as he was a strong bet to not take it, but if he did, the upside was a solid starting rotation option for one year.

 

If you offered it to Wacha, there was a chance he'd take it and then underperform the 20M price tag considering his recent history.

 

I have a very vivid memory of it, because I got a lot of pushback around here for suggesting it. Obviously opinions differentiate wildly on this board. But not many wanted Nate around here, even less wanted Wacha back.