cp176

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.

I saw that this morning. It is a prediction for sure. Good one as well but still just prediction.

I would love to see them take a run at Chris Sale.

You think the White Sox will be contending?

If they really are serious about competing next year, they will at least try to do both.

good post - A very positive situation for the Sox to be in.

I read that article this morning. Good to see Guerra getting some print. The key to this piece for me is the expression "right now". If Vasquez can't come back healthy, Swihart is needed. If he can, I think that they will trade Swihart if they can. They have a number of very good young players who can produce at the plate as well as Swihart has. I don't see him as any more valuable than Moncada, Benintendi. Travis or Shaw unless they intend to catch him full time.

Agree here too.

In terms of baseball economics today, it makes sense. Remember when 13 million seemed like a fortune? Just an average man's wage these days. I grew up poor so I probably could still get by on that paltry sum. My lifestyle would take some hits for sure but I could get by.

The ridiculous numbers tend to make me care less and less about the game I grew up loving. It is a joke.

That is crazy!

I am not opposed to thinking that Buchholz's contract should have been picked up. I'm just opposed to the thought line that he might provide any answers to this team moving forward. No matter what someone's stats say, I am not buying the fact that he was a 25 million dollar pitcher last year. I don't think his signing answers any of this team's questions about next year's rotation. A package of Buchholz and Swihart might get someone else to at least think about making a trade with us. If the Red Sox have 13 mil to pay for a part time player - great. Maybe he will help us. His career has certainly made me appreciate all of the great ones who go out there and play hurt, sick, and just plain beat up.

It is insane for sure. If you use the stats, the suggestion is that he might be getting that over 4 or 5 years. I doubt that happens. I am a believer in using all of the statistical data that you can use to help in the making of any decisions but I have to say that if the suggestion is that Buchholtz was worth 25 mil on the open market last year and Price was worth 50 mil, it would look to me that someone is using the the stats to tell a story that they want to hear.

Everything points to Swihart having a pretty good upside for sure. But if the Sox decide to not use him behind the plate, he becomes just another prospect. His bat is replaceable and maybe even by a better one. Signing Leon has to have some significance. A great defensive (respecting all aspects) and a light hitting catcher is not unusual. If Vasquez is healthy, it makes the discussion moot. Hannigan and Leon can get it done if a package of Swihart and someone else brings us a young potential number one. All that said, I still like Swihart and would hate to see him traded. I just think that it is logical to include him if you are going to trade.I would prefer seeing him traded as opposed to either Moncada or Benintendi going.

i guess he was pretty good. So common logic says Price and a few others must be worth - what - 50 million per year?

Pretty sad when you think how badly teams must need pitching if you consider what he is worth. So you must at least cut those numbers in half if you are talking about a guy who pitches half of the time? I really would hate to see the Sox ever be in a position where they have to count on him for anything.