SoxFanForsyth

No way, no how, no chance. Pitchers break down way more often than hitters, particularly ones who have already had TJS. Betts and Bogaerts are the core of this team for the next 5+ years. I don't move them for anyone not named Harper

No dice this year. We actually moved from Boston right after we had my daughter to get closer to family. Miss the hell out of Boston, though.

Huh?? Was this intended for me? Where did I call you a negative nancy? Arguing my points isn't stifling the conversation, quite the contrary. My whole argument is that with, say, Price (or equal ace), O'Day, and Kimbrell, along with moving Kelly to the pen, that team would win 90+. Was never trying to stifle any conversation by any means

Ah! Then the point is moot! I assumed you were ok w paying Hanley to play elsewhere, but if not, disregard. My apologies.

Appreciate it! Haven't posted in a while because of a newborn, but now she's 14 months so I can actually get back to this stuff a little more.

If you're ok with paying Hanley to play elsewhere, you can't not be ok with the dead money you'd take in a long term deal for a SP. At the very least, you're getting innings out of Price in years 6-7.

Eh, Benintendi is really the only good prospect we got via last place finishes. International signings represent a huge part, Espinoza, Margot, Devers, Moncada. That's where the Sox made their mark. And those were made by BC.

Not giving him a pass, that wasn't my intent. He made horrible signings and left holes (SP and bullpen specifically). But in terms of the next 5 years?? This team is as set up for sustained success as any team in the majors. Having a core of Betts, Bogaerts, ERod, and Swihart, all at the age of 23 or younger and all of which are very strong players, plus the #1 farm in all of baseball? That's precisely what you look for when you're wanting a sustained run.

Sure, Shaw likely won't hit like that. But there were other players who also underachieved. Ortiz barely played the final two weeks. Guys like Rutledge and Craig were getting starts. As for JBJ, he ended the season with very reasonable numbers. If your argument is the sequencing of his hits, that's just silly. Just because the hits were bunched doesn't mean it's not repeatable (overall numbers). The team got better because the pitching got better. The pitching got better because the defense got better. The defense got better because the Sox had an elite defensive OF when they subbed in JBJ for Hanley. JBJ had a +15 Drs/year. Hanley had a -30. That's a plus 45 run differential. As for the .500 comment, their pythag record was 81-81. They went from having a near -80 run differential to a positive run differential over the final two months, and once they reached Cle, it sank to -5. You can absolutely set your expectations based on the wholesale changes the Sox made. Is the team, as constituted, a 90+ win team? Probably closer to 85-86. Add a couple strong pen arms and an ace? That tacks on 6-8 wins.

They played to a 91 win pace from 7/30 on, and a 91 win pace without Hanley....so....yeah an ace and a pen could make this a 90+ win team easily

Huh? This team is an ace and 2-3 pen arms from being a 90+ win team. C: Swihart: had an adjustment period, but from 6/19 to the end of season, he hit .311/.354/.458. 1B: Shaw: I think they dump Hanley, Shaw gets the start here. Sam Travis is a really promising prospect in AA, should start in AAA next year and be ready to contribute by mid season. I would sign a vet as a backup (Uribe?) 2B: Pedroia SS: Bogaerta 3B: Sandoval (firmly believe he bounces back next year) LF: Castillo CF: Bradley RF: Betts DH: Ortiz Hanigan/Vazquez Holt Rutledge OF4 (FA) Ace - Price preferably, but wouldn't be surprised if they go trade route here and get someone like Carrasco, or a bigger deal for Tyson Ross and Kimbrell ERod Buchholz Miley Porcello Owens and Johnson as depth. Kelly to pen. That team right there is literally 1-2 moves and is an easy WC contender. Dom can get bold and sign 1 and trade for 1 SP and turn this into a WS favorite, too. But even if he doesn't, the Sox will be battling the Jays for the East next year with just an ace. I expect big, bold moves this offseason. Like, 2-4 of them. But BC left an absolutely golden team set up for sustained success. To say otherwise is absurd

To say a 12mm OF isn't tradable is silly. The value of 1 win was 7mm in 2014, and likely closed to 8mm in 2015, which means he would essentially have to be a 1.5 win player to justify his deal. Thus far, he's been a 1.3 win player in 90 games over his MLB career, which is about a 2.2 win player over 150G. Given the fact that he's got more upside than what he's shown, $12mm for him isn't an overpay by any means. He wouldn't bring back a stud prospect, but he certainly has value. An interesting trade that would never happen? What about Ellsbury, contract down to $16mm AAV for Castillo?

Dom was also quoted as saying "I can't speak for him specifically. But I was interested this winter time, I work out usually in the morning in the winter time and run the treadmill early at the ballpark. And I watch that Major League Baseball Network show religiously. And they had those commenters up there statistical guys and non-statistical guys. And they had the No 1. ranked left field going into 2015 as Hanley Ramirez, collectively. I remember at the time saying, 'How can people make that statement only to the sense they don't know if he can play left field or not.' So it's just interesting that a lot of other people there were making that summation that he could play left field." That quote makes him sound pretty averse to trusting a guy to play a new position, particularly Hanley. Given that Hanley didn't play a single game at 1B last season, and isn't playing winter ball to practice this offseason, I find it incredibly hard to believe that the same guy who made the comment above would trust Hanley to a new position that sees, what, 4 times the amount of plays per game as a LF? It's all lip service. Hanley is going to be dished this offseason. This is just like when Farrell was talking about how Cespedes was an integral part of the team after we signed Hanley.

Staying inside the baseball, even when he's out in front he's keeping his hands inside the ball. Something he got away from last year. Kid has easy, easy, easy pop. Just absolutely jumps off his bat. If he continues to approach his at bats with an up the middle or oppo field approach, he's going to be putting up middle of the order numbers in the number 7/8 slot.

If Vic goes down, it's Castillo, not Craig that would be penciled in. Castillo should start in CF and Betts in RF anyway, as is. I love Vic but his time has passed. Regardless, JBJ is going to be in Pawtucket for a while so he can work on his swing, with or without Craig and Vic.

Hey why doesn't anyone have sigs anymore? Edit nevermind, it's on there now. I would be devastated if this quote from SBF went away

Should have traded Bogaerts when people still thought he was good smdh

Cueto posted a .236 BABIP last year. Buyer beware.

Would have to include Ranaudo or Workman, but that's no problem

Yup. Love Swihart too but Sale has a ridiculous contract and he is an absolute stud. Trade Swihart, Owens, Cecchini, Barnes for Sale (this is what Carrabis is suggesting) Trade Marrero, Middlebrooks, and Ranaudo for Samardzija. Trade Cespedes for Latos as your #3 which I hate but ok I guess. That rotation would make losing Lester all ok.

I'm hearing a lot of smoke about the Sox focusing hard on Sale, and that they are focused on him right now (essentially they feel they've lost out on the Lester sweepstakes). The deal being discussed is something in the range of Owens, Swihart, Marrero, and Barnes. The stuff is being floated by Jared Carrabis on Twitter. Here is one of his tweets, so you can follow or read to catch up. Keep in mind, this guy just started working for Barstool Sports, so he's not in the business of floating garbage rumors that could affect his job.

The Tigers would shop Price if they resign Scherzer based on my understanding.

My guess is that he gets dished this offseason along with Margot and Brian Johnson for Samardzija

Today, nothing scheduled after that as far as I know. I see SF as the same level of threat as Atlanta. As in, no threat whatsoever.