moonslav59

It's not the normal time for GMs to be making deals. Relax. It's a long winter.

LoL

My guess is, if we reset and look to re-sign (after trading) or keep Betts in 2021 and beyond, we will likely go over the tax line in 2021 by a lot, and maybe over for several years afterwards. It makes a pretty big difference in how much that tax would be in 2021 after a reset or at 50%+ for being over for 3+ years, especially if we end up being over by the amount of Betts's contract or more. 20% of $34M is $6.8M. 50% is $17M. The difference is over $10M, which could sign a very decent FA or 2 pretty good ones.

I expected this answer. BTW, Manny was tested time and time again while with Boston. He never tested positive during those 7 years. We don't know, for sure, what Papi's test results were, or what he tested positive for. We know the Yankees cheated.

It might also be as simple as this: Henry knew DD's M.O. and knew he'd trade the farm away for a window to win a ring or two, but he expected the window to be open longer than it was (not unreasonable given the budget in 2019). Now, he looks at the situation and sees DD is not the guy for the step needed to open the next window. Changing plans is part of being a great owner or company manager. Knowing when to do it is tricky and very important.

Trading for one year of Betts during the off season also will give the receiving team a comp pick after 2020. Some teams might view the one year at $30Mmore favorably than if Betts had a $30M x 5 yeara deal. I'm not buying into the idea that we'll get crap for Betts via a trade. For the same reason most here want us to keep Betts, other GMs would love to have him. A one year deal is less risky. The comp pick is coveted by many GMs. Several teams are looking at making one big step towards being a top contender in 2020. With parity the way it is, adding Betts could make several teams an instant, major contender.

Maybe he's the best at deciding which choice is best and then doing it.

One year of the same as 2019 is not worth getting nothing for Betts. Now, maybe I'm wrong about our chances in 2020, but I'm leaning towards looking more at 2021 and beyond than just 2020 and being left with less afterwards.

He may not have expected the total emptying of the farm, but yes, he knew DD's M.O.

It's usually less of a team disadvantage to have a big, slow player play 1B rather than OF, but that doesn't mean it's easier. (Is it easier for a fast and short player?) It also depends on the player you are talking about. If a player has played OF his whole life, one would think OF is easier and safer than 1B. How much of a defensive liability the player might be in comparison at each position also plays into the choice, but with JD, I think risk of injury might be the top factor in the choice.

Some winter farm notes from soxprospects.com: 2017 first-round pick Tanner Houck (pictured) got the start in Wednesday's Super Round matchup with Australia. The righty allowed two runs on just two hits in his five innings of work, striking out five, walking two, and throwing 46 of 72 pitches (63.9%) for strikes. Unfortunately, that was all the support the Australian staff needed, holding the USA lineup to a single run and saddling Houck with the tough-luck loss. Noah Song was outstanding, going unscored upon in 3 1/3 hitless innings across three appearances. Song struck out three and walked one, with a particularly dominant effort coming in Friday's win over Taiwan. video: At the plate, CJ Chatham started all five games, going 5 for 17 with a double and two walks. Chatham played almost exclusively second base, save for two innings in left field in Monday's contest. Bobby Dalbec also started each game, twice getting the call at first base and serving as the designated hitter in the other three. He was 3 for 17 on the week with a double, three walks, and seven strikeouts. Marco Hernandez saw his first action of the winter for Licey. The infielder homered as part of a 5 for 19 week, driving in a pair of runs. All five of Hernandez's starts came at second base.

Maybe he meant by throwing in Erod to the trade. That might create a market.

I doubt any GM can create a market where one does not exist, but I think a few teams would like to have JD already. It might just be about needing money with the deal or us not getting much back in return, except salary relief and the ability to sign a few bargain FAs with the money saved.

MLBTR suggests a possible trade: Betts to CWS for 2B prospect (#40 on MLB Pipeline) Nick Madrigal. If we did that, why not trade Price for Wil Myers & a prospect and Eovalid & JD for ML ready prospects. Maybe then, we'd have the funds to re-sign Betts and a few moderate free agents and a nice core of young players to make them want to play in Boston. Note: I am not saying I want to trade Betts and others. I'm just putting this out there as a long shot option.

We'll know within a year or two some of the effects of nearly emptying the farm. The debate will likely never end, and will be revived every time one of the young guys we trade has a great season (or more). Again,I was fine with what DD did since we won a ring, but I knew the price we'd have to pay would be painful at some point.

Dumping Price (and or others) and using the savings to sign a pitcher would address the pitching issue, too.

I think the biggest advantage of resetting is that it allows us to go way over the line in 2021 (sign Betts?) without major taxes.

Maybe the Yanks can work out some sort of work-release or furlough program.

Putting a SS/3Bman like HRam in the OF might be more dangerous than the 1B, but I don't think playing an OF'er in the OF 5 games a year is more dangerous than asking him to learn how to play 1B- a position that is involved in many more plays per game and is something very new to him. Plus, if JD is taught to play 1B, my guess is the plan would be for more than 5 games.

I don't want JD playing in the field at all. I'm okay with a handful of games in the OF in NL parks, when needed. I do think there is less risk of him getting hurt playing a position he's played for more than a decade and maybe has 2-4 plays a game hit his way. I think, for him, 1B would be more dangerous. Plus, I don't want to do anything to distract him from his hitting, and that takes a lot of his time already.

If two offers are very close, he may consider location, local taxes and family preferences.

Yes, but all those things are unavoidable. Playing 1B rather than DH is a choice made and a bigger gamble.

I guess everyone else who missed JF doesn't know pitching, either. I would not write off Kopech just yet, either.

It's not that simple. Placing and aged, sore-backed player in any new position is a gamble. BTW, I'm not for playing him in the OF either. he should DH only with maybe a handful of games in the OF at NL parks.

Maybe JD said he does not want to play 1B. Maybe Sox management doesn't view him as a possible capable 1Bman. Maybe they fear risk of injury. I think the Sox have had a bigger need with OF depth over 1B depth, so that alone could be the main reason. (I'm not for giving him a 1Bman's mitt next spring- at all!)