mvp 78

It's great to have a top notch developmental system. However, when you can't supplement the MLB roster with good FA pickups, you'll struggle to see success year in and year out. Also, you need to know which prospects to hoard and which to sell high on.

Pablo and Hanley can't be moved for anything of value. If they could get Shields for one of them, the deal would have been done by now.

Small market design (and results) with large market ticket prices!

Lies, signing Drew ruined Xander's rookie campaignfirst and foremost. He was an unnecessary transaction that was only good for pissing off SBF.

Yes, he wasn't ready to be a closer. His career wasn't ruined by Ben/Bobby V.

I have thoughts concerning JD Drew taking called third strikes!!!

Stop signing these garbage starters like Hi Ho Silva!

Nope

Daniel Bard should never have been a starter.

NESN f***ing sucks...

Rick Porcello exists!

Panda is a fatty.

I'd rather retire Rocket's # than Boggs'.

To me, the deal with the Devil Rays to wear a Devil Ray cap in the HOF was far worse than the Yankees thing. With Damon, he could have came back later in his career, but blocked the deal. Both are losers imo.

Boggs is a horse riding, Devil Ray cap in HOF contracting SOB. No love.

I'd make a sig bet, but you're probably already stuck with jacko sigs for the next few years.

It can always be worse. Pablo has a better chance of a bounce back season than Hanley imo.

Fangraphs doesn't include Chris Davis in any team's projection right now? So they have a AAAA guy slotted at 1b for the O's?

What do the fangraph projections do about unsigned FAs?

If Rose hadn't thumbed his nose at MLB and the HOF for the past 30 years, he'd be in already. He probably has no need for contrition since he makes a good deal of money signing autographs even without being in the HOF. He probably doesn't really care about getting in and only appeals the decision every so often just to keep his name relevant.

So back on topic... The Sox seem to be done with their offseason. However, if you were the GM, what is one move you'd make? I'd send a package of prospects for a solid #2, unless the asking price is in the Shelby Miller (oh god what is that gm thinking?!?!?) range. Fall back plan is to just sign Mike Leake (no draft pick comp) and take a nap.

From the Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/08/why-pete-rose-still-cant-be-absolved/378866/ Rose’s betting slips, written in his own handwriting, as well as other evidence, indicate that he only bet on certain Reds’ games. Why does that matter? He may not have been betting on all the games, but he still wanted to win every game. It matters for two reasons. First, when Rose did not bet on the Reds, his inaction was a signal to his bookies that he wasn’t very confident in that game. Those bookies may have used this inside information to place a bet against the Reds. This doesn’t mean the game was fixed, but is reflective of Rose’s state of mind. He was compromised. Second, his wager on certain games, but not others, may have influenced the way he made decisions as a manager. What do you mean? If he had a wager on that night’s game, he could be more inclined to burn through his bullpen in a less-than-optimal way. He may have used pinch hitters and pinch runners differently. In an all-out-effort to win a single wagered-upon game, he could, in turn, be sacrificing the team’s chances in a number of future games. Similarly, in games where he didn’t bet at all, he may rest certain players so they are fresh in the next game, when he was wagering on the Reds.

Had coffee with Baileys, egg nog and coquito.

They already do. There are lots of Pete Rose exhibits at the HOF. He just doesn't have a plaque.

I like Rodriguez, but the current staff has too many unknowns. They need one more top guy imo. Just adding Price and the bullpen upgrades, gets them to 86-88 wins. One more guy gets them over the hump and protects against a Buchholz injury, a weak Kelly showing or a sophmore slump from Rodriguez.