Kimmi

Dombrowski's focus for this offseason should be to start locking up some of our young players for reasonable deals.

I'm okay with a boring offseason because we don't have the glaring needs. I'd rather have boring than have Dombrowski pull of some kind of blockbuster where he trades Bogaerts, Devers, and whoever for a starting pitcher and then signs Machado.

I may be in the minority, but I would keep Vazquez and Leon, and trade Swihart. Actually, I'd keep all three, but I don't see that happening.

I'm not a game thread buddy, but I am jonesing something fierce as well. And we have 5 months to go before Opening Day! Driving home from work yesterday, I was thinking dang, I don't have any baseball to watch tonight.

I'm willing to be that none of our starters have ever gone to Cora and said that they will only pitch to a certain catcher. I can't imagine Sale would ever do such a thing. That said, most pitchers will develop a certain level of comfort and confidence with a catcher where they just click better than they do with other catchers. There is nothing wrong with that.

I don't believe that anyone is saying to bring in a less effective closer, or that having a great closer isn't important. IMO, a closer of Kimbrel's caliber can be had for a much less expensive deal. A closer doesn't have to be a well known superstar type player in order to be a great closer. Most closers are unknown commodities who come out of nowhere. It's Dombrowski's job to find that guy, similar to how he found Brasier. I bet there are other closers out there who, if they had been on the team, would have been able to save 47 out of 52 games. Maybe even more.

Indeed.

One thing that is a problem is that it is just too darn expensive to take a family of four out to the ballpark for a major league game. It's not something I can afford to do on a regular basis. That said, there's always minor league games, which are reasonably priced.

I am wondering how baseball compares to the other major sports in terms declining popularity/viewership. I think some of it is the sign of our times, in particular, the instant gratification and instant feedback that our younger generation seems to be used to in these technology prevalent times. Are long time, older fans being turned off from the game, or is it more that the sport is not picking up "new fans". IMO, the sport is beautiful and extremely entertaining the way it is. I think the analytics have enhanced the enjoyment and understanding of the sport. I don't like the 2 different rules in the different leagues, and I'm not particularly a fan of the shift, but I don't think those things are ruining baseball. Will robot umps really increase viewership? Making some changes to the sport, as Bell listed above, might help some. But I don't think that is really going to solve the problem, whatever the problem seems to be. Basically, I think that parents, role models, etc. need to instill a love for the game into their children like my parents did with me and my brothers when we were growing up.

Kinsler was a very nice midseason pick up for the Sox. If you were to go back and read the comments when Kinsler was first acquired, if I recall correctly, they were pretty positive comments. Most people really liked the move. Kinsler was not going to be the game changer. Then again, neither were Pearce or Eovaldi, and they ended up being pretty significant. But the point is that we needed a guy like Kinsler at 2B to shore up the defense and to give us some needed depth at that position. It was a good move indirect benefits regardless of what Kinsler directly contributed on the field.

The team is more or less set for next year, even without any moves being made. So yes, I agree that the Sox have a good shot at winning another World Series, not that it will be easy by any means. I think most people agreed that whatever team made it out of the AL this year would likely win the World Series. That could be the case next year as well, but at this point, I'm not willing to make that statement. I think that the Yankees are going to make some major moves this offseason. They aren't willing to tolerate the Sox winning another division title. LOL Bring it on Yankees!

Alex Cora, along with several team members and coaching staff, including David Price, are taking the World Series Trophy to Puerto Rico. I think it's awesome how committed Cora is to his native country, including asking for a plane full of supplies to be flown to his country as part of his deal when he signed with the Sox. It's also awesome how Cora honored his friend with the initials AA on his cap. These things don't really have anything to do with baseball, but I 100% believe they affect how the players view Cora as a leader, which in turn, affects the play on the field.

I think the Yankees are going all in this offseason. I don't know what that means in terms of specific deals, but I bet they get 2 top starters. Before the Sox won the Championship, I said that if we do win it, the Yankees will go crazy in the offseason. After reading Hal's comments, I'm even more convinced that this will be the case.

It may be a combination of both to some degree, but I think Kershaw wants to stay in LA. He's making enough money where he doesn't have to go out and try to get a bigger deal. As I posted elsewhere, I'm a Kershaw fan and really didn't want to see him sign with the Yankees. I'm glad he's staying with the Dodgers.

I second that. There is a lot more that I am thankful for that is far more important in the big scheme of things, but baseball is a great release and pastime for me. I look forward to coming to Talksox to read and post about the sport that I love. I appreciate the work that is put into maintaining and moderating the site. IMO, it's an awesome forum!

In!

I absolutely love the flexibility that having a 3rd catcher who can play other positions (or a utility player who can also catch) brings to the team.

I am fairly convinced that one of Swihart or Leon will be traded. As you and several others have pointed out, there just isn't enough room on the roster for that 3rd catcher.

It all depends on what kind of contract Eovaldi commands, but it's not like we have to add a lot of pieces this offseason. The Sox are pretty much set, as is. I'm not advocating throwing huge money at Eovaldi either. A reasonable, short term deal, or let him walk.

In the words of a wise man, back to back to back to back.

With Jacko predicting the cliff coming soon, I'm really starting to believe it's not coming!

Why? I'd keep both.

If the Sox are not going to give him the playing time, then yes, they need to let him go.

Which is a good reason to offer him one.

I still like the idea of having 3 catchers, IF one of them can play solidly at several other positions. But, for whatever reason, Cora seemed reluctant to give Swihart the playing time at those other positions.