Sox to acquire Sonny Gray

[mvp 78]

27 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

It's true: last year Gray led the NL in shutout. He also fits Brez' desire to land another top arm who can make -- actually make -- a start in the postseason.

Then again, Gio was once thought of as a innings eater... at least a workpony.

Gio should have taken his option. Maybe he thought the Sox would pick up the more expensive QO? 

[bkzwhitestrican]

Good trade for Boston. 36 isn't necessarily old for a starter, as we've seen many starters this century still pitch at a high level into their late 30s. And Gray's repertoire doesn't rely on high velocity so his decline shouldn't be as immediate. But I guess we'll find out if he has issues pitching for a big market team, or if that only applied when he was on the Yankees. 

[mvp 78]

9 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

You've got to love Bowden. Never lets actual facts get in the way of an opinion. 

[notin]

14 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

You've got to love Bowden. Never lets actual facts get in the way of an opinion. 

Good point.  Fitts, yes.  But when did Bloom get all this familiarity with 2024 draft pick Brandon Clarke?

[notin]

20 minutes ago, notin said:

So is Breslow’s plan this off-season only to acquire players named Gray?  First Tristan, now Sonny.

Or will he be venturing out into other colors?  (Like, say, Hunter Greene? Or will we just get Seth Brown and Tyler Black?)

Next up? RHSP Jon Gray, obviously…

[drewski6]

12 minutes ago, Hitch said:

 

You've got to love Bowden. Never lets actual facts get in the way of an opinion. 

I dont see much wrong with this commentary, Cards shave 20m and get a prospect. I do feel they could have done better and this might slightly favor us.  But 36 yrs old, 1 yr, I dont think they could have gotten much more than Clarke.  Fitts was a DFA anyways and actually adds value to the deal for me (because it keeps the 40 man roster count neutral).

Fitts was a guy who wasnt going to survive the 40 man roster crunch, and Gray has a sweeper and a cutter, two "in" pitches with a sinker and only throws his 4 seam like 22% so smells like a breslow guy.

I like the move in a vacuum. My only concern is that now if you get Bregman/Alonso , its hard to see them dipping under the tax this year. And I dont really love going into a season knowing that we'll have to dip below a tax soon cuz that means budget cuts coming eventually.  And Im not certain this team is good enough to warrant kicking the "get below the tax" can down the road.  Now if htey are just like whatever about the tax and the repeater penalties, great! 

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

Next up? RHSP Jon Gray, obviously…

We're bringing back the providence grays

[Hitch]

2 minutes ago, notin said:

Good point.  Fitts, yes.  But when did Bloom get all this familiarity with 2024 draft pick Brandon Clarke?

Wasn't even there for the Fitts deal. Was sacked 3 months prior. Though, maybe there was work done on scouting him when he was there.

[drewski6]

Just now, Hitch said:

Wasn't even there for the Fitts deal. Was sacked 3 months prior. Though, maybe there was work done on scouting him when he was there.

Now I see what the problem is with Bowdens tweet.

[Hitch]

3 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont see much wrong with this commentary, Cards shave 20m and get a prospect. I do feel they could have done better and this might slightly favor us.  But 36 yrs old, 1 yr, I dont think they could have gotten much more than Clarke.  Fitts was a DFA anyways and actually adds value to the deal for me (because it keeps the 40 man roster count neutral).

Fitts was a guy who wasnt going to survive the 40 man roster crunch, and Gray has a sweeper and a cutter, two "in" pitches with a sinker and only throws his 4 seam like 22% so smells like a breslow guy.

I like the move in a vacuum. My only concern is that now if you get Bregman/Alonso , its hard to see them dipping under the tax this year. And I dont really love going into a season knowing that we'll have to dip below a tax soon cuz that means budget cuts coming eventually.  And Im not certain this team is good enough to warrant kicking the "get below the tax" can down the road.  Now if htey are just like whatever about the tax and the repeater penalties, great! 

My comment was do with the fact that neither were there when Bloom was, so his familiarity with them due to his time in Boston is pure Bowden.

Edit: I see you've got it.

[Hitch]

Reports surfacing already that this isn't Bres' #2 move and that he isn't against moving Bello. 

[mvp 78]

15 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I like the move in a vacuum. My only concern is that now if you get Bregman/Alonso , its hard to see them dipping under the tax this year. 

Why do they need to be under this season? His contract is off the books next year. The CBT penalties typically reset with a new CBA as well. 

[mvp 78]

12 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Reports surfacing already that this isn't Bres' #2 move and that he isn't against moving Bello. 

Sounds good! 

[drewski6]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Why do they need to be under this season? His contract is off the books next year. The CBT penalties typically reset with a new CBA as well. 

If the penalties reset, okay.  They dont need to get under next year, and understand Grays contract comes off.  But still , if they have to get under soon, that that means more short term deals and I dont like em.

[drewski6]

I dont operate scared.  Short term contracts = scared money

[drewski6]

I like the move, but if they are over this year (assuming CBT does not reset) then that means theyll have to dip below pretty soon, which means they'll watch the future commitments they give out this year, and if its Gray and a bunch of short term commitments (meaning not great players), then IM not sure its enough to finish better than third.

[notin]

24 minutes ago, Hitch said:

Reports surfacing already that this isn't Bres' #2 move and that he isn't against moving Bello. 

Are those reports from me on this board a month ago?

[FredLynn]

1 hour ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Gray was the first good starter I mentioned this offseason because Chaim was taking over in St. Lou to do what he does best: shed salaries.

When I saw the player return, I thought the same thing Hitch did -- but not only does Brez want to keep Early and Tolle, I'm more convinced now those two would be the demand in deals for the likes of Ryan and Peralta.

This trade may also be positive for who it did not include: Contreras -- another contract Bloom is likely trying to dump. His absence may mean Brez and the Sox are busy zeroing in on a more prominent righty power bat...

You mean the Sox are "very interested" in a more prominent righty power bat. 

Let me know when it is finalized.

[mvp 78]

21 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont operate scared.  Short term contracts = scared money

If they get a lot of long term deals, they'll be over for years and years and would never be able to reset. I think they need a balance of both.

[Old Red]

If you like another stop gap, which exactly what this is at this point then fine.

[FredLynn]

15 minutes ago, Old Red said:

If you like another stop gap, which exactly what this is at this point then fine.

Its more "dumpster diving for depth". We do need some depth in the SP roster, but that is a secondary need. Everyone knows what our primary needs are and this does zilch to meet them.

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, notin said:

Are those reports from me on this board a month ago?

Reports are you have become a more credible source since you changed your picture away from shocked face Mo.

[drewski6]

32 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Its more "dumpster diving for depth". We do need some depth in the SP roster, but that is a secondary need. Everyone knows what our primary needs are and this does zilch to meet them.

Its not that.

[Jasonbay44]

I wouldn’t call Sonny Gray “dumpster diving” it’s not like he’s some random bum or something. He’s had a very good career. Is he past his prime? Most likely but he could still be a very good pitcher and help this team. 
 

I still want them to explore getting another pitcher, but he’s a solid get. 

[FredLynn]

7 minutes ago, Jasonbay44 said:

I wouldn’t call Sonny Gray “dumpster diving” it’s not like he’s some random bum or something. He’s had a very good career. Is he past his prime? Most likely but he could still be a very good pitcher and help this team. 
 

I still want them to explore getting another pitcher, but he’s a solid get. 

Maybe a #4-5 SP at this stage of his career. We already have those types. So he’s depth at the lower end of the rotation. Not expecting much from him.

And the needs for a solid #2 and a RH power hitter remain unmet. Henry isn’t going to open his purse to pay for what the team needs, which is disgusting because if he did we could become a very good team.

[notin]

17 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

 

And the needs for a solid #2 and a RH power hitter remain unmet. Henry isn’t going to open his purse to pay for what the team needs, which is disgusting because if he did we could become a very good team.

I know!! It’s almost (but not quite). THANKSGIVING and this team still looks like the pathetic 89 win team from 7 weeks ago!

But with Sonny Gray…

[Old Red]

38 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Maybe a #4-5 SP at this stage of his career. We already have those types. So he’s depth at the lower end of the rotation. Not expecting much from him.

And the needs for a solid #2 and a RH power hitter remain unmet. Henry isn’t going to open his purse to pay for what the team needs, which is disgusting because if he did we could become a very good team.

Time will tell if Gray gives you much more, or anything more than what Gio did last year. Even though it was 7-8 years ago Gray did not pitch very well in his two years as a Yankee. Gray also got rocked in his only start against the Yankees this past year.

[Deja Doh]

I'm not necessarily opposed to the trade, just that Fitts is 10 years younger and far cheaper.

[Hitch]

24 minutes ago, Old Red said:

Time will tell if Gray gives you much more, or anything more than what Gio did last year. Even though it was 7-8 years ago Gray did not pitch very well in his two years as a Yankee. Gray also got rocked in his only start against the Yankees this past year.

His numbers at Fenway and Yankee stadium do give you pause. But I have faith in Bailey.

[Old Red]

8 minutes ago, Hitch said:

His numbers at Fenway and Yankee stadium do give you pause. But I have faith in Bailey.

Bailey is not going to teach an old dog like Gray at this point in his career new tricks. He tried doing that with Buehler.