moonslav59

I've never seen any evidence to back up the claim that smaller guys age poorly. I'd easily change my opinion, if I see it. Betts has some unique talents that I doubt anybody has ever studied- let alone how they do as they age. I've heard Betts has amazing "twitch reflexes." How does that ability age? I sure as hell don't know. First, what percentage of MLB players are categorized as "small" or "like Betts?" Then, is that percent about the same or worse among the best players beyond ages 32 or so? This may not mean jack, but here are the top fWAR players from ages 32-36 since 1970: 41 Bonds 32 Schmidt 32 McGwire 29 E Martinez 29 Rose 29 Edmonds 27 O Smith 27 A Beltre 27 Kent 26 Suzuki & C Jones 24 Stargell, L Gonzalez & Larkin 23 Morgon, Bagwell, Palmeiro, Walker, Whitaker & T Phillips 22 Molitar, D Evans, G Brett, D Jeter 21 B Williams & J Cruz 20 ARod, Hendu, B Giles Ages 37-41(which is actually beyond the years of the Betts contract) 39 Bonds 19 Aaron 15 Da. Evans 15 E Martinez 13 Papi & M Alou 12 W Mays, B Boone & J Morgan 11 C Fisk. Yaz & B Downing 10 O Smith, W Boggs 9 O Vizquel, S Finley, A Beltre, D Lopes, C Jones, P Rose 8 N Cruz, Hendu, J Kent One could argue the second list blows your argument out of the water.

Let's just say over 240.

Top 10 remaining FAs per MLBTR... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/top-10-remaining-free-agents-8.html

Dexter Fowler + almost $13M to Angels in trade. He's owed $16.5M/1. I'm not sure what is going to STL, but Fowler for less than $4M/1 seems pretty good.

Really? Me? The biggest Sox fan in the universe? Really?

Nick, you missed the context of my post. I was saying DD is 99.9% at fault for our current predicament, but I'm okay with where we're at. In no way am I blaming Bloom. I'm one of his biggest supporters. I'm thrilled we won in 2018. I'm fine with where we are now, but I'm not going to sugar coat the reality of our little "cliff."

I understand the thinking. There is a lot of merit to the idea of spreading out the risk. I just can't get over a top spending team like the Sox not being able to afford a once in a lifetime player like Mookie.

Yes, and as much as people are complaining about not spending a lot, this winter, we've actually spent more this winter than most teams. Can I ask you something? Doesn't it suck being a top 3 spending team and sucking, while having a below average farm, at best?

Our defense is lacking at many positions- actually all but maybe one position. Our pitching is anywhere between a big question mark and crap.

Did we not sign Richards, Hernandez & Ottavino (okay add Renfroe, too) with the budget space left open by the loss of the Betts contract? The reality is doom & gloom. This is the cliff you and many of us knew was coming. Why sugar coat it now? That being said, I do think "the cliff" is not as bad as I thought it would be. I see us with an outside chance at making the playoffs, especially if we add a few more low cost pieces, but are the players we just added what you had in mind as what we'd be replacing Betts with? I expected better, but I aslo expected us going over the tax line, this year. I can understand pushing it back a year, but I wasn't expecting this, when we traded Betts.

Yes, 99.9% because of the situation Dave left us in. I get the fact that this is a year after the reset, but we are still spending more than 27 teams, have no farm help for 2020 and would have to go $30M over the lux line to even be the third most favorite team in MLB. You can say that's on Henry, because he is refusing to spend. I say, had Dave left us with a better roster or a better budget, we'd be spending, right now. 99.9% on DD. Don't take that to mean I hate what DD did. I'm thrilled with 2018 and 3 straight AL East fist place finishes. This down time is worth it. That doesn't change whose fault it is.

The truth hurts, sometimes.

Not many repeat names on this list. That being said, I think Betts will age very well. I would have signed him to 12 years.

I can agree to 99.9%.

Yes, and we could even pay part of his salary and still cut a lot from the lux tax budget.

Indeed, but why choose the year he's expected to be on the ML roster to say the trade is basically Sale for Moncada? He did have a pretty decent minor league history (3.05 ERA and 1.21 WHIP)

Or, JD.

LOL Should we be happy Dave got us this number 4?

Kopech does still have 5 years of team control, so I'm not sure writing him off is a good idea, just yet. He is 24 and reached the ML level in 2020.

You'd think with more big games on TV, there's be more money for the pool.

Depends on what they'd have set the budget at for 2022 and 2023, but I'd have liked our chances more.

Okay, I'm no expert on these CBA issues. I did not realize the playoff pool money stays the same while the games increase. That would be a big no from a union man like me. If they shorten the season (and pay) while doing that with the playoffs, I can understand why the union didn't even bother with a counter offer. Like adding the DH makes up for that. The DH is good for the game and owners, too. I get the feeling the next negotiations will be a big pain.

I was for paying Betts. Maybe the hope was we'd be closer to competing by this winter, but they realized one more year was needed, and by not going over in 2021, we could stay big spenders for one more year after we take the plunge. I do think we go over- maybe way over- next winter, despite losing a ton of contracts.

Most likely, but I think it is not unreasonable to think 2021-2022- maybe not to be the favorite, but in the mix.

There are still some high impact free agents on the market, but very few are linked to a possible Sox signing. Personally, I don't think Bauer is "that guy" you put so much of your budget into adding. (Same with Springer & Realmutto.) Here are the top FAs still available (ranked by MLBTR): 1. Bauer 4. Ozuna (We need a SP'er and OF'er, but that doesn't mean automatically sign the top players at those positions.) 11. Odorizzi (Still makes sense, to me, but I seriously doubt we land him.) 14. Turner (We don't need a 3Bman.) 21. JBJ (wants too many years) 22. Paxton (surprise signing, late?) 23. T Walker (see #22) 27. Rosenthal (I doubt we even make an offer.) 46. Porcello (fits the budget but maybe not the need) 47. C Hamels (rather have Porcello) 48. Melancon (would he really be a difference maker?) Honorable mentions of note: Jonathan Schoop Kevin Pillar Brad Miller Shane Greene Jake McGee Brett Gardner Jonathan Villar