cp176

I really think that it is a stretch to suggest that what has been done so far represents a win now at all cost philosophy. Maybe it will look like that in a while but not yet.

This makes sense to me. I expect and hope for more to come. I expect most of it to come via free agency but would not be surprised nor would I be upset particularly if it came via trade. The great debate seems to center around the value of what we gave up as opposed to what we got. Everything is relative to an individual point of view. I see the players traded to be replaceable by players that may even be better. That approach works for me.

And I am just guessing that Swihart, Margot, and Guerra would not have gotten it done either. Maybe but I really doubt it.

So True! - Can you say goodbye to Betts, Moncada, and anybody else? (We may still have to)

I'm just deeply disturbed that I won't get to watch Margot in Portland. Obviously another losing season for us fans of the minor leagues. Just kidding - I don't care who gets the credit for it but if yo pay attention to what we have in our system, you can easily see that the youngsters we gave up are clearing space for a few players who might be even better.

Simply taking comments at face value, I think that it is quite possible that Kimbrel will be much more likely to help us win games next year and in the future than any of the 4 traded prospects. We will just have to see how the statistical data works out this year as opposed to last year.

Just my guess - I don't think that the dealing is quite done yet.

What this move tells me is that DD doesn't just want to try to win next year. I think that when he is done he will expect to win based on the moves he makes. Arguing that he could have gotten more with a package of Margot, Guerra and someone else is that the someone else probably would have had to be someone very special. There certainly are no guarantees that any successful package would have even included Margot or Guerra. If the front office felt this strongly about trading for one of the top closers in baseball, I'm assuming that they truly believe that we won't be a 500 or sub 500 team next year. To get the top of the rotation starter that we need in a trade it would have taken a hell of a lot more than this one took.

I think that you are right in saying that we will get our #1 through free agency but I also think that it would still be very possible to do the same via the trade route. I might not like to see it happen but a package built around a trade of Swihart could still bring us what we want. Note - I said I would not like to see it happen.

I agree with this post very much. I would even add a few other young names to your list. People can and will shout and holler about this being an overpay or maybe we should have gone in a different direction via the trade. Doesn't matter. We just got better. I'm happy. The only reason to keep Margot and Guerra for sure was to use them in a trade. Once again as most of us realize, they were not going to be playing in Boston. The Red Sox whole concept of building up the farm system has been great. We have a general manager who obviously intends to move some of those players who have some talent but are clearly blocked. We might not always appreciate the direct moves that he makes but personally I like to see some action taken. Hopefully there is more to come via either free agency or the trade. Trading these 4 does not look like any damage to our future was done.

Hope you are right.

Bottom line - Sam Travis can hit. If Swihart is not catching - if someone wants to reposition him, I would say that he is replacable by better hitters. I like Swihart but if he isn't catching he becomes like a bunch of other prospects - no better no worse.

I like it - they need two - that would look good.

Don't stick your finger down your throat just yet. I'm betting they would have to be offered one helluva deal to pry one of those guys loose. Something our side isn't used to. Everybody wants to hijack the Sox. I don't think that will happen.

I meant Betts or Bogaerts not Buchholtz ( not sure I care what they do with him)

The stuff coming from the press is crazy. Tomase starts my day off with a venomous piece focusing on why we need to get rid of Hanley and later on I read that the Sox expect him to play 140 games as our first baseman. It's O'Day then its Chapman. Maybe Betts for Harvey. The beat goes on. All good reading but no one has a clue really and no one will until the deeds get done. Personally, I would hate to see Betts go but if it was either Betts or Buchholz, I would always keep the shortstop. Even though it is painful, I think you trade the guys who are replaceable. I still see a big need for two top of the rotation guys. If the Sox trade for a true young top of the rotation guy, It will cost them big. It will take at least one potential star. I guess you have to dangle potential middle of the rotation guys like Owens and Johnson maybe Kelly or even Buccholtz along with the likes of players that may or may not produce on the big stage like Marrero and JBJ, Shaw etc. etc. etc. Good luck. I'm going to guess the GMs will eyeball - Betts, Bogaerts, Swihart, Rodriguez, along with the likes of Moncada, Devers, Margot, and Benintendi. They know what we need. It is just a question of how deeply the Sox are willing to go.

Vasquez was getting some at bats maybe 3 times per week. He had been playing long toss about that often as well. He has been feeling no pain thus far. He is quite a ways from being ready but he is young and has looked to be ahead of some others who have had similar surgery. It sounds like a good idea to hang on to Swihart but the reality is that if they think Vasquez is going to recover they have the short term covered while they wait. You have to think that they will be listening to all offers that involve him.

Way way too young

Anything is possible I would say after what we bought as a fan base last year.

It almost sounds as though one free agent pitcher and a trade for a top reliever might be the thought right now. I wish I had the kind of faith in Buchholtz that some others do. A lot of interest being shown regarding those Sox prospects. Going to be interesting.

You may be right with all of your conjecture. You might not be. I will say this though. Much if not most of what happens during the off season will have to do with the wants and needs of individual teams. The Red Sox have a clear path to add two starters as well as upgrade their bullpen via trade as well as free agency. They have the chips to deal. Sadly for a couple of my favorites, there isn't a player on the team who could not be replaced. I'm sure that DD has already been busy. He builds that pitching staff - I'll support his moves.

That's what I said and meant. Just a little typo.

That's what I and said.

I read that about Cleveland being potentially willing to help us out with Ramirez, unfortunately I think that I read that suggestion from another forum. Until DD makes a move, it really is all just conjecture. It is fun but just guessing.

Once again - White Sox - Chris Sale. They aren't going anywhere soon which means he isn't either. Kimmi is not necessarily wrong here. A third party could be very much interested in a package led by Swihart. Personally i would prefer to see them keep both Moncada and Devers for sure. I think that they could entice some teams with others that they have to offer if a player like Swihart spear headed trade talks. They are going to have to look at where their soon to be future needs might be. Third base could be an issue - keep Devers. Moncada is considered to be if not the best certainly one of the best prospects in all of baseball. He is capable of playing more than one position - try to keep him. Benintendi, Guerra, JBJ, Castillo, etc. etc. etc. (Betts and then Bogaerts ) Who knows but if either Betts or Bogaerts go you better come up with two top of the rotation guys. Cueto and whoever they have to trade for.