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Interesting. What do you think it would take? I don't know much about him and haven't watched much, but his numbers and age are attractive. Even if his ERA isn't totally supported by his FIP, WHIP or Ks. Dombrowski did a great job when he got Anibel Sanchez, who was a really good pitcher for a few years. This could be a similar pick up. I wouldn't be shocked if he pulled the trigger, overpaid in prospects and added Miller. Like Owens, Barnes and Devers or something? That would be a lot to give up, but Miller is in that pre-prime age range that I hope the Sox are aiming for. While I wouldn't usually include guys like Owens and Devers, if they disappeared and the Sox had a potentially dominant mid-20s arm to go with Price (now) and kept the rest of their best young players to move forward, I wouldn't be upset.

Well, I was wrong. I thought there was no way they blew him out of the water to get him but they did. I can't be disappointed as they got their ace. That said, I don't love the deal. I will be happy to watch him over the next few years and if the Sox FO continues to just open the purse for whatever players are needed then it wont' be a problem. But if they go back to their "find value" approach in the next few years I can imagine them NOT making deals that many of us want them to make because of deals like this one. Oh well, hopefully it will pay off in the short term. Additionally, I've just never felt like Price is an intimidating #1 compared to some of the other ones out there. I'm not batting against him so that is easy for me to say(!), but when the Sox have faced him I've never felt like he was a lock to shut them down. Similarily when he's started playoff games I've never felt like the other team will have their work cut out for them if they want to get a win. I bet this is as much a perception issue as it is a reality issue, I will own that, but it's just how I've felt. A guy like Scherzer has periods of absolute dominance. Price may be steadier. His numbers are outstanding, as is his consistency, and his pedigree (#1 draft pick, 200+ IP every year, etc.,). What would really make my day is if the Sox turn around and trade some of their talent for another really quality SP. THAT would make the offseason for me. I'm surprised they finished this deal so quickly and, frankly, very, very impressed.

They are undefined arms. I think any of them could end up being good MLB pitchers. Johnson and Owens are both unproven but could be mid-rotation guys in their prime. Miley has consistently thrown about 200 IP and fangraphs had him with about the same WAR last year as Richards, Gallardo, and Kazmir. Kelly has shown flashes and probably belongs in the pen. All in all this isn't a completely worthless group and it's possible there's something pretty good in their--if they can figure out which one it is.

So Price or Greinke, a SP and a couple bench pieces... The other SP: where do you think he should slot in the rotation? Should they be content with a mid-rotation guy or do they need another top of the rotation piece? I could see an argument for either one. If you add another mid-rotation guy then you're looking at having to be better than Miley, Kelly, or Owens. Are there many guys who would absolutely be better than one of them (and thus worthy of a pricy FA contract)? Chen, as mentioned above, could be that kind of guy, but there are others... Kazmir? Yovani Gallardo? Cliff Lee have anything left? There's pretty good upside in there. At the same time, they have a lot of guys who are at least sniffing that tier of pitcher, don't they? A good year from Miley, Kelly, Owens, or Johnson could be about as good as an average Kazmir, Gallardo, Chen year. Should they spend, say, 2-3y x 15m on a mid-tier SP given the relative difference between that player and Miley, Kelly or Owens? Tough call. As far as SP goes, I guess I'm inclined to think they would be okay without another SP (assuming they have their ace). There's a log jam of arms that I'd like to see sorted out, between those four pitchers listed above. I feel like there's at least one good pitcher in that group and knowing who it is by the end of next season could make future decisions much easier. Another year for Johnson and Owens of mostly being at AAA won't help get there. Kelly should be in the pen. Even if he could be a good SP, I think he could be a tremendous reliever. His arm is electric. As for the backups, I agree. A good backup OF and a utility guy to compliment Brock Holt would be ideal. The media is acting as if the Red Sox have an uncharacteristically large budget for this year, but I don't understand why that's the case. They have a lot of money on the books and will undoubtedly spend a lot on that #1 pitcher. Any insight into this?

Great post UN. I wonder if Greinke is a sleeper here a little bit. I definitely like him to be a steady producer over the next few years. If he's somewhat cheaper than Price and could be had for fewer years I'd be more than happy with him. He's been quietly one of the best pitchers in baseball.

What do you think it would cost to get him? Is there any price/years that would make you think they went overboard? I'm asking that seriously, not provocatively. Starting pitchers The highest-paid starting pitchers, by average annual value: 1. Clayton Kershaw, $30,714,286 (2014-20) 2. Max Scherzer, $30,000,000 (2015-21) 3. Jon Lester, $25,833,333 (2015-20) 4. Justin Verlander, $25,714,286 (2013-19) 5. Felix Hernandez, $25,000,000 (2013-19) 6. Zack Greinke, $24,500,000 (2013-18) 7. CC Sabathia, $24,400,000 (2012-16) 8. Cole Hamels, $24,000,000 (2013-18) … Cliff Lee, $24,000,000 (2011-15) 9. CC Sabathia, $23,000,000 (2009-15) 11. Johan Santana, $22,916,667 (2008-13) 12. Masahiro Tanaka, $22,142,857 (2014-20) From here it looks like he probably warrants getting the 2nd highest AAV. If the Sox are definitely going to get him then they might have to beat what Kershaw is getting. It's hard to argue he's not better than Scherzer, or at least as good, and once you're at Scherzer's AAV you're less than a million away from Kershaw. He's not better than Kershaw but making him the highest paid pitcher (and second highest player) in baseball is exactly the kind of thing to get him to pick you over other high paying teams. So, if it is 6 years/$185m is that too much? Sure seems like a lot.

Nothing to be nervous about. Don't have your heart set on him and you won't be disappointed.

It's a shame Buchholz hasn't quite lived up to his potential. From a stuff standpoint he's capable of matching anyone in the game. He has always just been frail. When he's pitching and seems comfortable he is like a #1. He could be that again this year. But as others have noted it's just a matter of time until he's injured again. You can't really build a championship around that. For my rotation I like: New Starter Buchholz Porcello Miley Rodriguez (Owens) But if someone gets injured, or traded, then Owens would make me perfectly comfortable in there. Kelly in the pen.

Why? Chicago is a great young team on the verge of making history. He'd be a hero if he helped them win the WS. Meanwhile Boston (the team and the city) haven't been especially nice for Price. Chicago is a great city. Boston is a great city. Both great ballparks. I'm not so sure that he'd want to go to Boston at all.

I really hope Dombrowski doesn't get burned this off-season. The scrutiny on his moves is enormous. Maybe it was the case in Detroit too, but I doubt it was to this degree. I feel like part of the secretiveness that Theo and then Ben developed was because they got burned when their intentions were known. I really like that he shares more or less what his plans are, but I hope he can combine that with pulling off quality moves. Seems like a lot is riding on them landing Price, Greinke or Cueto. I think Zimmerman might be one step below. Not that it matters, but fans will question whether he's an "ace". It can't be a good thing to know that the Sox are desperate to land a pitcher and that they don't see much hope via trade.

Yeah, as a700 said this package is too low--especially given what they just paid for Kimbrel (a reason I don't love that deal, as far as prospects go). And although I'm one to really hold onto prospects like the ones you listed in most circumstances, Fernandez is the first pitcher since Felix Hernandez back in 2008 who I would break the bank on... or at least consider it. The package to make MIA trade him would need to be an obvious win for them. So Devers (great piece), Owens (okay piece) and a 5-10 prospect wouldn't do it. I think you'd need another piece at the Devers level and then not be discerning about the back-end guys... so Moncada, Devers, Owens and another prospect or two for the Marlins to choose from--maybe keeping Benintendi off limits. Could get more interesting if they included Rodriguez or Swihart (or Vazquez) from the start. Maybe Eduardo, Owens, Devers and Espinoza. That's a LOT of talent but if he's healthy Fernandez is as good as they come considering his stuff and his age. If you remember how Theo tried to entice Seattle to move Felix it was basically "here's our top 20 prospects, choose six". The sox might be able to put one or two guys off limits but not very much.

Isn't he like 23? I give a wide berth for attitude at that age... especially if he's really good.

I guess I should have been clearer in my earlier post. Getting Price is a pipe dream because the Sox aren't dumb enough to blow him out of the water enough to get him. I mean, sure, if they offered $300m they would get him. But they wouldn't and shouldn't do that. He's a good pitcher, but he's not that much better than the other options out there. There's a point at which the asset simply isn't worth the overpay it would take to get him. And yes, money talks, but does money talk that much for everyone here? Imagine the job you're in now. If you like the job do you go to some other job for $1 more? $1000 more a year? If it's a bigger hassle, or has worse weather, or a bad commute or higher taxes? I mean, there's a lot of options here and, no matter which he chooses, he and his kids and grandkids will all be just fine. I really think there's an equation here that's more than X>Y. Yes, the money speaks and everyone has a 'blow me away' amount, but if another team/job is willing to offer virtually the same thing you would weigh the two. I don't actually know where Boston fits on Price's list. I just have a hard time believing it's at the very top, if he could play anywhere. You're right UN, they're not the Pirates. Neither are the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, etc., who might also be bidding for his services. EDIT: I'm a bit off my posting/opinion game. It should be clear that I'd be thrilled to be wrong about this. Seriously, please Price, prove me wrong.

I can't say I have a great one. It would have started with trading a big package for a true ace. But apparently, here in mid November, it's the case that no such deals are available and some of the pieces were already shipped for a closer. So my next play would be to strengthen the bullpen even more, if possible. Maybe sign O'Day so they can work toward becoming a 6 inning staff. I would also think about using Joe Kelly out of the bullpen. That guy's got an electric arm and would like to see if he could be a great setup guy. Let him compete with Tazawa. I'd keep Owens starting, as I think he can border between keeping them competitive most games and having some excellent starts. Then it's a matter of crossing fingers on guys like Buchholz, Porcello, Miley and Rodriguez. Maybe give Brian Johnson a shot at the rotation--he's actually been really good in the minors for a number of years. Perhaps there's a missed SP FA out there, like Gallardo or Kazmir who could be had for a reasonable amount. If the return isn't fantastic then don't pay as if it is. Longterm I would continue to stockpile the pieces and wait for that great young SP arm to be available via trade. Overall, I just don't know DD's negotiating tactics well enough. One thing I really appreciate about him is how candid he is about everything (seemingly). He answers questions without the BS that the old group (who I liked quite a bit) always did. When asked about how a decision is made, he just says how they made the decision. From Theo to Ben the Sox have said "well, we don't talk about the inner workings of our discussions but there was mutual interest" or whatever. In this instance though he's essentially said "we want a true ace" AND "we are planning to get it via FA". That's the kid of candor that the previous group would never have done--and I understand why. So if Price signs quickly, and Greinke decides he wants to go back to LA, and Zimmermann is swooped up, if I'm Cueto's agent I'm licking my chops thinking that I've got them backed into a corner. They've acknowledged they don't want to part with more prospects because the best remaining ones are pieces they'd prefer to keep. They've also acknowledged that the mission wouldn't be accomplished if there weren't an ace caliber SP on the roster come opening day. Sounds like they backed themselves into a corner. Not an inescapable one... but a corner nonetheless. But, again, I don't know how DD operates well enough to know if this is just a tactic or if he's truly just showing his cards. I could see how just showing his cards would be both endearing and would help build trust with other GMs and agents. Maybe he's just someone who's really clear and transparent. I don't know.

So the Kimbrel deal has its own page and its moving to discussion about what to do next... so I'm going to try to approach that here. I think getting Price is a pipe-dream. I don't think he loves Boston... he's not even neutral to it like another player from, say, LA or KC might be. He's actively been playing against them in a heated rivalry (with him at the center) for years. And the idea that they might blow him out of the water with an offer seems foolish. Blowing him out of the water would be absurd, since he's likely to command almost $200m to begin with. Just too much risk there. I think he'd be great, but I wouldn't build my offseason strategy around somehow being able to bring him in. At this point if he goes to a non-AL East team I will be happy. I like Greinke, but similarily I think he will have a number of good offers and, frankly, I don't know why he would choose Boston over others. If I had the choice between living in Boston and living rich in LA I think I know which I'd choose. Perhaps they could blow him out of the water a bit more easiliy, but still, wouldn't bet on it. Then there's Cueto. I think there's a chance the Sox could construct a creative deal with him, maybe high money short years with an opt-out clause or something. He's a good pitcher when he's on and if he stays healthy he could be fine. Just more risk, but perhaps the biggest spenders will have gone home with their prize at that point. Zimmermann I don't know well enough, other than having watched a few of his starts and tracked him over the past few years. He feels a bit like a good #2 to me. Should they maybe sign him with aspirations of still seeking that true "ace" somewhere else in future years? He might be the lowest cost of the bunch. All in all, I feel like Price is the only true "ace" of the bunch in that he has virtually no question marks about his performance. The rest have some risks and I'd rather the Sox don't spend money as if they're getting a true ace if they aren't. I would be happy with Price, Greinke or Cueto but I wouldn't feel like it necessarily vaults them into being an elite team... there's more work to be done there. The biggest difference maker for the Sox won't be these acquisitions. They might be key structural pieces who promote good things, but they're really banking on their youngsters to contribute at a high level and that has to happen. So Bogaerts needs to improve from last year, Betts needs to increase his consistency. Swihart needs to develop into a legitimate bat and signal caller over the next few years. Basically all of their young guys need to continue evolving into solid MLB players and then these signings will make a difference. They have a great collection of young talent between MLB rookie types and mid-to-upper level minor league talent. Get those guys going and this could be a really good thing. In the meantime, don't blow it.