A Realistic View of 2023: Part II

[Old Red]

I think it was an option.

 

He did get a procedure, and his elbow was already causing decreased velocity on his throws at SS in 2021.

 

I do agree, that he was slated to be our SS, but that might have changed with this latest issue.

 

I was just going by what Cora said that the hope was for Story to come back healthy, and play SS.

[Old Red]

Wacha to the Padres…

 

Any word on the contract?

[mvp 78]

No! Story was, and is a SS. Yes he was a 2B, and a good one especially playing in short RF, but the only reason he was playing there was Bogey was the SS. Lots of ifs in your questions, but I’ve said all along Story if healthy enough, which is another if will be the SS, which I believe that is what he was signed for. Kike is just a short gap .

 

No, Story is not a SS after his arm was injured in '21. He's a 2B going forward.

[Old Red]

No, Story is not a SS after his arm was injured in '21. He's a 2B going forward.

 

Then why did Cora say the hope was for Story to come back healthy, and play SS? Story Was going to be the SS this year if he hadn’t of come up injured.

[mvp 78]

Did he need TJ?

 

He had a modified TJS with an internal brace. It's a newer, supposedly less intrusive surgery that gets players back to playing quicker. Other guys who have opted for this surgery include Maeda and Rich Hill.

[mvp 78]

Any word on the contract?

 

While financial terms of the deal aren’t yet clear, the signing of Wacha could come with notable repercussions with regard to the luxury tax. San Diego is currently less than $7MM away from the third tier of luxury penalization, which kicks in at $273MM. If the Friars exceed that point, they’ll begin to be taxed at a 75% rate for any money spent up to $293MM (rather than the 45% rate at which they were taxed on the previous $20MM spent). That’s a small slap on the wrist by itself, but stepping into the third bracket of luxury penalties also pushes a team’s top pick in the next year’s draft (i.e. 2024) back by ten places. The team’s league-allotted bonus pool is also inherently reduced, in conjunction with the diminished slot value of that pick.

[harmony]

From Tuesday's chat with MLB Trade Rumors columnist Steve Adams:

Mike G

11:10 Red Sox fan here. Do you think the have enough pitching to make it to a wild card spot?

Steve Adams

11:12 I don't. And it's not just the pitching; the middle-infield is wobbly, Adam Duvall will be playing CF full-time for the first time in his career, the catching situation looks rough, they'll have a rookie first baseman, etc. etc.

 

Some of those won't prove to be weaknesses, of course. Casas could just shred MLB pitching and cement himself as a lineup fixture. But it's not likely that Casas does that AND the rotation (Sale, Paxton especially) remains healthy, AND the up-the-middle gambit works AND Reese McGuire proves a capable starter, etc.

Just too many question marks throughout the roster, for my liking.

https://live.jotcast.com/chat/chat-with-mlbtrs-steve-adams-2-14-23-15051.html

[mvp 78]

From Tuesday's chat with MLB Trade Rumors columnist Steve Adams:

 

https://live.jotcast.com/chat/chat-with-mlbtrs-steve-adams-2-14-23-15051.html

 

I can't believe THE Steve Adams would say that.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

From Tuesday's chat with MLB Trade Rumors columnist Steve Adams:

"Just too many question marks throughout the roster, for my liking."

 

https://live.jotcast.com/chat/chat-with-mlbtrs-steve-adams-2-14-23-15051.html

 

The Red Sox need more exclamation points this spring.

 

I'd also give them an ellipsis, if I ever get off my asterisk;

[dgalehouse]

I looked at the schedule. It does look kind of favorable for the Sox. But I will say that the rivalry with the Yankees is still the best in sports. Playing fewer games with them seems like a bad idea to me.

[mvp 78]

I looked at the schedule. It does look kind of favorable for the Sox. But I will say that the rivalry with the Yankees is still the best in sports. Playing fewer games with them seems like a bad idea to me.

 

Or it'll make those games more important.

[moonslav59]

How can a team like the O's not go all in on someone like Wacha?

 

I'd be really pissed as an O's fan. These guys have scrimped and saved for years and finally have a solid group of young players and they traded away Lopez and did next to nothing this winter.

[moonslav59]

I looked at the schedule. It does look kind of favorable for the Sox. But I will say that the rivalry with the Yankees is still the best in sports. Playing fewer games with them seems like a bad idea to me.

 

Bad for TV money. Bad for fans that love rivalry games.

 

Good for the Sox chances in 2023.

[mvp 78]

How can a team like the O's not go all in on someone like Wacha?

 

I'd be really pissed as an O's fan. These guys have scrimped and saved for years and finally have a solid group of young players and they traded away Lopez and did next to nothing this winter.

 

They have saved for years so why would any fan expect them to spend now?

[harmony]

How can a team like the O's not go all in on someone like Wacha?

 

I'd be really pissed as an O's fan. These guys have scrimped and saved for years and finally have a solid group of young players and they traded away Lopez and did next to nothing this winter.

San Diego's signing of Michael Wacha has not upset some Oriole fans:

 

https://forum.orioleshangout.com/topic/47083-do-you-want-wacha-and-if-so-what-terms-can-you-live-with/page/7/

[moonslav59]

They have saved for years so why would any fan expect them to spend now?

 

I could be wrong, but I thought they said they were planning on spending more.

 

Keeping Lopez would not have cost much, anyway.

[Bobe2]

While financial terms of the deal aren’t yet clear, the signing of Wacha could come with notable repercussions with regard to the luxury tax. San Diego is currently less than $7MM away from the third tier of luxury penalization, which kicks in at $273MM. If the Friars exceed that point, they’ll begin to be taxed at a 75% rate for any money spent up to $293MM (rather than the 45% rate at which they were taxed on the previous $20MM spent). That’s a small slap on the wrist by itself, but stepping into the third bracket of luxury penalties also pushes a team’s top pick in the next year’s draft (i.e. 2024) back by ten places. The team’s league-allotted bonus pool is also inherently reduced, in conjunction with the diminished slot value of that pick.

 

Just guessing but it looks to me like a World Series ring for the fans and the organization is more important to them right now than the money and other penalties.

[Bellhorn04]

Bad for TV money. Bad for fans that love rivalry games.

 

Good for the Sox chances in 2023.

 

I thought 19 games a year against other AL East teams was a bit much.

 

In 2003-2004 we played the Yanks 52(!!!) times including the playoffs.

 

13 games a year is still plenty IMHO.

[Bellhorn04]

Just guessing but it looks to me like a World Series ring for the fans and the organization is more important to them right now than the money and other penalties.

 

No doubt, but if they don't win a ring soon, where does it leave them.

[mvp 78]

Just guessing but it looks to me like a World Series ring for the fans and the organization is more important to them right now than the money and other penalties.

 

Then they better hope they win one. Big FA splashes don't guarantee titles.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No doubt, but if they don't win a ring soon, where does it leave them.

 

With Wil E Coyote and the Acme anvil.

 

But at least their GM will never get to say, "If we signed Bogaerts, we could'nt have added Carpenter and Wacha, and extended Yu!"

[notin]

Just guessing but it looks to me like a World Series ring for the fans and the organization is more important to them right now than the money and other penalties.

 

I just don’t get extending Darvish and Machado while Juan Soto hangs in the balance…

[moonslav59]

I thought 19 games a year against other AL East teams was a bit much.

 

In 2003-2004 we played the Yanks 52(!!!) times including the playoffs.

 

13 games a year is still plenty IMHO.

 

I think 12 is fine (4 -three game series.)

[Bellhorn04]

Any word on the contract?

 

Here's all there is so far:

 

Wacha’s deal with the Padres could earn him more than $24MM over four years, with a complex structure including both team and player options.

[moonslav59]

Here's all there is so far:

 

Wacha’s deal with the Padres could earn him more than $24MM over four years, with a complex structure including both team and player options.

 

$6M x 4 seems rather low.

[mvp 78]

$6M x 4 seems rather low.

 

He wanted 12x2. Padres just stretched it out for AAV savings. They needed to be under 7M for the 3rd threshold. He will most likely not be there for 4 years, but they'll pay it all.

[mvp 78]

I just don’t get extending Darvish and Machado while Juan Soto hangs in the balance…

 

Soto will go to FA. 100%

[Bellhorn04]

Soto will go to FA. 100%

 

Padres are not shy with the dinero, just ask Xander.

[mvp 78]

Padres are not shy with the dinero, just ask Xander.

 

They were the highest bidder amongst several. Soto will wait until others can bid as well.

[Bobe2]

I just don’t get extending Darvish and Machado while Juan Soto hangs in the balance…

 

My guess is they don’t plan on signing Soto to an extension that why it’s important to them to give big push this year