mvp 78

Even if they are in 4th place, it would probably be with 84-85 wins. That's about where most of us thought they'd be in ST.

I agree. I just had to get the other part off my chest.

Maybe you can argue about the pitching sequence, but you can't just throw the same pitch back to back every time you get a whiff. If you tried that with Manny, the next pitch would be on the Mass Pike.

Uh, you were the first to mention JBJ. I was just riffing on that.

The turnaround of this ballclub has been vastly overstated to make it look like Bloom has done an amazing job. 1. This team went back to back to back from 2016 - 2018. 2. This team had a mildly disappointing season (after winning 108 games and the WS in the previous year), but was still a contender. 3. In order to get the team under the luxury cap, Bloom traded their best player and a rotation pitcher. 4. Injuries to Sale (known) and ERod (surprise), made the rotation the worst in MLB. Adding only guys like Weber and Mazza to round out the staff was dooming the team to failure. 5. Manager was suspended for 2020. 6. In 2021, ERod came back healthy. Bloom actually brought in a few MLB guys to fill out the roster instead of AAAA guys. Cora came back. It's no surprise that this team had a substantial turn around. It was expected. This was not because amazing moves by Bloom, but just because 2020 was a blatant tank job. This team always had a solid core that could compete year in and year out. They CHOSE not to compete in 2020. It was a choice. I'll give him credit for helping build back the farm through trades and the draft. However, the worst to playoffs argument isn't a very good one to me.

Martinez reportedly has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block three teams annually.

Hear me out: Would you be happy if the Sox miss out on the WC due to COVID and bad defense, but the Yankees also miss out by losing game 162?

I was surprised that the Brewers gave him that much in the first place. Seems like they were bidding against themselves.

You'd wait until the opt out is selected.

I don't think the trade is likely. I'm not sure JBJ would even want to come back.

JBJ Ashby - LHP 6M for JDM

I believe JBJ has a player option. Not sure if he'll be leaving MIL.

@SoxNotes Highest OBP in the American League since Aug. 1: 1. Kyle Schwarber (BOS) - .460 2. Randy Arozarena (TB) - .436 3. Alex Verdugo (BOS) - .422 4. Kiké Hernández (BOS) - .406 Min. 100 PA

Gettys had a similar offensive profile who never fixed the hole in his swing. He's now been transitioned to pitching down in FCL.

Five star thread IMO.

It might not be a great fit, but he'd look great in RF.

His K/9 wasn't all that great in college. There's a reason they had him stop pitching. Also, I believe he requested to no longer pitch.

I would say that it's highly unlikely that the Sox work up something that quickly.

FranCOMA. Coffee boy (or was that Ben). The only guy deserving of his detractors was Farrell. Unfortunately, all the guys who hated Francona were going gaga over Bobby V. They didn't eat enough s*** for that.

There's a better chance that he picks up the option.

Laureano would be great here in RF.

As we saw with MIN, they can hit. They'll put up some runs against that Jays pitching staff. They won't be a pushover.

The only way he comes back is through FA. No chance in hell will he pick up the option. If he does, I won't post all offseason until Opening Day of 2022.

What I would do: 1. Move Xander to 2B. 2. Sign Simmons. 3. Sign Stroman. 4. Sign Alex Wood. 5. Sign Familia. 6. Sign Neris. Former friends that are upcoming FA: Robbie Ross Fernando Abad Steven Wright Jonathan Lucroy Matt Andriese Brad Peacock (former?) Delino Deshields Chris Owings Sandy Leon Jed Lowrie Brock Holt Mitch Moreland Rich Hill Collin McHugh Jon Lester Anthony Rizzo Andrew Miller

Yes, I don't believe JD will opt out. I think they'll use "Schwarber money" on pitching.