moonslav59

or not

Building the better lineup of tomorrow.

I hope I'm proven wrong, but I don't share as much enthusiasm on Duran as many here. He's got great speed, but his defense needs work. He had some pretty good offensive numbers, but the BAbip and other numbers point to the chance of it not being as good as the numbers indicate. He probably needs at least 3-4 more months at AAA, assuming there is play next spring. soxprospects.com has this... Summation: Potential fringe starting outfielder with two carrying tools. Ceiling of an everyday center fielder. Nailing down his future projection is tough without a chance to evaluate swing changes made in 2020 without true game action. Speed is not a question, and hit tool should get to above-average if he can refine his approach. If 2020 power development is real, he could become a dynamic offensive player. Has already shown strong ability to make contact and drive the ball into the gaps. With his speed, has the potential to put a lot of pressure on the defense and inflate his average with infield singles and slugging by taking extra bases. Could also steal 30-plus bases if he improves his instincts. Is still continuing to develop in center field, but likely to develop into at least an average defender there and has the raw tools to become an above-average defender. Has one surefire major league impact tool in his speed, so should have a role on a major league roster even in the worst-case scenario, especially if MLB retains the runner-on-second rule in extra innings going forward. https://soxprospects.com/players/duran-jarren.htm

Wasn't sure what thread this belongs on... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/angels-rumors-dave-dombrowski-staying-nashville.html

The opt out might not look so sure with COVID depressing salaries, but I think you are right. If Bloom sense Bogey will opt out, trading him becomes more likely. He may trade him, regardless. I'm not sure of the "Dave's signing" part means all that much, but each GM values players differently. Some value defense at the SS position more than others. I'd like to keep Bogey around, but if we can get a great package in return, I'm okay with trading anyone.

Is "soiled" better?

I almost voted Taylor. I picked Marisnick, because I want almost all our resources going to building up the pitching staff- hopefully longer term.

Ockimey lives another day!

19th is an improvement and maybe near a wild card challenge. Let's see where we are after signing more players than most of the teams 1-18.

I'm sure all GMs have plans- long and short term. Most are likely just trying to incrementally improve the current team and/or the longer term outlook. I'm happy we have Bloom, and I think he's on the right track.

I'm hopeful we can compete for a wildcard in 2021 and maybe the whole thing by 2022 or 2023. I've given credit to DD for drafting better than I expected with such low picks. He kept Devers- clearly the best of all the prospects he had (in hindsight and foresight.) I wish he'd done better with IFA's. Let's hope Bloom drafts well with these better picks and works his magic with low key signings. I've never said I thought the "cliff" would be long.

It was a wonderful season and the end of a very nice 3 year run. I know it sounds like I'm "crying" or complaining about the cliff, but really, I do not see it that way. I was fine with the trade off, the sacrifice, the consequences. The 2018 ring made it all more than worth it.

None of DD's trades look like the Bagwell or Danny Cater deals. Taken by themselves none look horrific or even all that bad. Like I have said, I'm happy we got that ring in 2018. It justified everything- even the cliff that was sure to follow. If we did not win in 2018, I'm pretty sure much of this board, including myself, would be singing different tunes.

I was never for keeping all the kids. On Margot vs JBJ, keeping MM did not mean JBJ would be gone. We could have had Moncada at 2B, 1B or DH and Devers, too. The Beeks for Eovaldi trade was a great one. Same with the Pearce deal. Funny how those two seemed to matter more than the big headliner trades.

True. My bad.

I think it's 98 to 99.5%. I neglected to round up to 100%.

Likely on the 40 man roster: Yoan Moncada Manuel Margot Ty Buttrey Logan Allen Jalen Beeks Mauricio Dubon Michael Kopech Noe Ramirez Saun Anderson Travis Lakins Travis Shaw (team control ended) Likely still on the farm, but not on 40 man roster: (not a complete list) L Basabe A Espinoza G Bautista

Another one would be to rank and rate the chances we'd have won a ring in 2018 with or without each trade: Eovaldi: maybe 80% chance we don't win in 2018. Pearce: maybe 75% chance we don't win in 2018. Sale: maybe 75% chance we don't win in 2018. Kimbrel: 40% Pomeranz: 5% Thornburg: 0% (Note: I did not put too much thought into this. It is meant as a way to start a discussion.)

90-99%, yes.

You haven't been reading many posts. Several posters have discussed how little help any of the players DD traded would have been to the Sox- some still think they'd barely make us better, even now. I'll leave it to them to say what they have been saying again and again. (Note: you just responded to one. )

Yes, indeed!

I'm no DD hater. I'm glad he got us a ring, but I'm not going to sugarcoat the consequences. It's ok to "defend DD" and "hold him accountable, at the same time. I don't get the feeling many are doing the same- not that I claim to have the only right position.

No doubt, and the pitching we apparently had in the minors was too far away (Kopech, Allen, and especially Espinoza)

Yes, someone bitches about our current situation- sometimes blaming Bloom, and people bring up DD. Many remember all the "thanks Ben" posts and are retaliating. This is true.

My guess is we sign at least 4 from the top 50 list (another SP'er and RP'er). 5 seems right. Maybe: Quintana K Wong Desclafani plus maybe: $14M/1 Marcus Semien $10M/1 Jamess Paxton $16M/2 Taijuan Walker $12M/2 Corey Kluber $8M/1 Charlie Morton $6M/1 Robbie Ray or JA Happ $5M/1 Drew Smyly or Rick Porcello $4M/1 Chris Archer $14M/2 Brad Hand, Trevor May or Trevor Rosenthal (Blake Treinen?) $6M/1 Alez Colome $4M/1 Mark Melancon $5M/1 Kirby Yates $20M/2 James McCann (Trade Vaz?) $10M/1 Yadier Molina