iortiz

Probably I just do not lose my hopes in see that No. 1 SP in our team.

As I said it is loooong shot... But if the kid is the real deal (very likely) and ready, and they trade XB for Hammels I won't complain although I would have signed a FA. What is interesting is that this signing suddenly happened after a couple of weeks where the Hammels talks were everywhere.

It's a lot of money but seems like he is the best prospect out there and win a bid war against LAD and NYY could mean something.

Probably it is a long shot but... If the Kid is "ready" and X goes to Philly for Hammels, I'll be ok with that.

It is a record bounus... So not sure if this is a steal but if this kid turns in something close to Cano as some are saying, yes... It will be a steal to me.

Probably he will end up at CF... Seems like he could be even better than Puig.

Very Nice addition. Seems like this kid is the real deal. 5 tool player? Very nice.

Red Sox To Sign Yoan Moncada By Steve Adams [February 23, 2015 at 8:11am CST] The Red Sox and Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada have reached agreement on a signing bonus in the range of $30MM, reports MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (via Twitter). Of course, by signing Moncada to a bonus in the $30MM range, the Red Sox will also be paying a luxury tax worth roughly that same amount, making this in total an approximately $60MM expenditure for Boston. Moncada, a 19-year-old switch-hitting infielder, is the most sought-after international prospect in recent history. Said to be a true five-tool talent, scouts have likened his upside to that of Robinson Cano and Chase Utley (in his prime). Over the past several months, the Red Sox have been one of the primary teams connected to Moncada, although many believed the Yankees and Dodgers to be in a better position to land him, as the Red Sox don’t have a clear long-term need in the infield with Dustin Pedroia at second base and Pablo Sandoval entering the first of a five-year, $95MM contract. (Sandoval, of course, could move over to first base in a few years.) Xander Bogaerts figures to be the long-term answer at shortstop, though the expectation among scouts is that Moncada will end up at second, third or possibly in center field (where countryman Rusney Castillo is currently slotted).

Signed for around 30 M

Probably they are planning to trade for a SP after this, if so wonder what is the package...

Red Sox to sign Moncada

In the end you missed the PO and the track record is there. What would you do if we missed the POs again?

Problem is that we have not shown the ability to build success rotations on the cheap like they do every year nor we do not have a farm which can provide solid pitchers like TB for ex.. A couple of solid arms, a couple of inning eaters and a couple prospects would have been my approach, but going like this is pretty risky IMO.

Nobody said that, but for millionth time, this is very unbalanced on paper... But again, let's see how this ends up.

mmm... When those anecdotal stories are well documented, they could help you build success stories hence win more customers and support your capabilities of your product/service mostly when you sale intangibles like IT or consulting services.

What would you do if we missed the POs again? It would have been 5/6. Would you keep the man behind the strategy (not sure what it is)? Some teams are regular contenders because they have a clear strategy beyond the budget and do not win the WS every year but they are regular PO teams. I do not see that in this team. When you have a track record like this 4/5, it suggests me that 2013 was more likely a fluke year (stars aligned) than anything else. How much time would you keep supporting this just because you won a WS? Or what?, is it gonna be a job insurance for the next 3,4,5,10 Y?

Well, Let's see if the experiment works out, if this turns into a nightmare as you and some people are suggesting, they probably will grab a couple of solid pitchers in 2016 and realize that they can't go on the cheap again at pitching.

I'm not sure about this debate but this statement is absolutely true. Unfortunately some companies do not see their people as the most important resource. Regarding Scouts I think as any profession, out there are good and bad and while tech/stats help them to develop their jobs, their eyes, talent,knowledge of the game, experience, etc. is what make them different and unique from other proffesions or good or bad from other scouts.

Some of those management tools usually are rest on world-class Enterprise Application Software (ex. Business Intelligence). In my experience the adoption of those tools usually fail beyond the IT brand/consulting firm mainly because 2 reasons. 1. The tech-implementation doesn't match the business needs. 2. The adoption of new technology and/or KPIs/best business practices do not consider the human/psychological dimensions which are inherent to this kind of projects and most of the times produce a natural resistance to new ways/methods to work. In order to mitigate this problem you have to add a Change Management Service in parallel and by doing this, you try to ensure the the adoption of those tools/IT, otherwise the sensation at the end of the project could end up in frustration as you say.

Traitor? Not at all my friend. Hopefully you are right in your predictions, and regardless my opinion about the team I always will want they win.

Would be worthless talk for sure but put it this way... It only would prove that this strategy was wrong but the good thing would be that finally the FO would not go on the cheap again and balance the rotation with a couple of solid arms as most people were suggesting.

If we were willing to give up a top prospect for Lee I'd better assemble a competitive pack around this prospect trying to trade for Cueto while trying to make him a solid extension... Although I think the Reds will try to lock him out. I really really think that it will be very difficult to grab a No. 1 at the TD. I see teams offering extensions to their aces... and even if we trade for an imminent top FA he will cost us top prospect(s)... This is why I think it was a mistake letting walk Lester and not pushing for Shields since they would have cost only money. Anyways time will tell how this end up.

Well... Add another star haha

This! I think this is the reason why he would likely cost both money and at least a top prospect. When everybody notice that he is "apparently" healthy (whatever that means) everyone will start to push. But once again if the stars align and Lee is healthy and producing at his norms and the P are interested in trade with us... Wonder What would the FO be willing to give up, Blake? I do not see it happen... Sox giving up him or P accepting less.

Well, my approach would be different. I would make my own analisys (whatever that means for anyone) including those opinions and betting information and then trying to get the best line, although I do not expect those change drastically from one place to other. I think I concur at some extent with the betting sites and these articles. I see our team somewhere between 6-10.