moonslav59

Well, everyone won't be healthy, so Pivetta would probably be #6 if all were, and maybe 4 or 5, when 1 or 2 are out.

Yes, my point was that in 2018, we became the Yankees of 1998-2015ish. Before that they blew us away, despite the fact that we outspend the other 90-95% of the teams.

The Yankees blew the Sox and other teams out of the water the years they won and tried to win. Yes, the Sox spent a lot, but it wasn't even close. When we won in 2004 and 2007 and 2013, we were not the top spenders. The money difference may not seem that much way back when but $88M compared to $71M is 24% more (like 1999). Whereas the Sox in 2018 were $27M more than the second team, which is just 13% more. Year NYY BOS '00 92M 78M '01 110M 109M '02 125 108 '03 153 100 (6th) '04 183 125 (30% more) '05 206 121 (almost double!) '06 194 120 '07 190 143 (33% more) '08 209 134 (4th) '09 201 123 (4th) '13 229 151 (52% more!)

The clubhouse boost he provided, especially during the playoffs was huge, and I think that was part of the reason the stretched to bring him back. After Eovaldi basically sacrificed himself for the team, Sale and Price stepped up and asked if they could do the same in the following game. That had enormous value, but I'm not sure that value is transferable to a 3 year deal. I was okay with the signing. I thought it was slightly too high on money and should have been 2 years not 3, due to his injury history.

Like it or not, Perez will likely be our #2 or #3 to start the season, with someone from the system filling the 5 & 6 slots. I see us trying to acquire a #1 or #2 (maybe both). If and when ERod and Sale come back Perez and others may be pushed back to lower slots. I wouldn't count on Eovaldi as anything higher than a 4-5 slot, part timer. If everyone is ever healthy at the same time, it can't hurt having 6 starters: 1. Acquistion 2. Sale 3. ERod 4. Eovaldi 5. Perez 6. Acquisition 7+++ (In-System scrubs)

If we are winning and/or showing good signs of a strong rebuild for 2022, I can tolerate almost anything.

Counting scrubs parked in AAA until needed? Maybe 7-10. On the opening day roster? 3-4 or maybe 2 real good ones. Meaningful IP'ed? 5-7 This year, we have seen these newly acquired faces pitch for the big club, so far: SP Perez Godley RP/SP Mazza Brice RP Osich Triggs Lever Valdez Springs Stock Covey Kickham Peraza

Did you ever attack Yankee fans with the "You bought the rings" argument?

He's a little more proven as a power bat.

It was a stab in the dark based on his playoff heroics- something that almost always ends up being "foolish."

Hard to disagree. Now, can you list how you prioritize these need areas? Maybe something like this? 1. SP 2. RP 3. RP 4. RP 5. CF 6. SP/RP 7. RP 8. 2B 9. 4th OF

Another option would have been to trade Espinoza for someone other than Pom or to combine him with someone else for a better SP'er.

I'm fine with spending large. I'm just saying that winning seems a bit more satisfying when you are not blowing everyone away in spending.

Agreed, and that's why I loved the Porcello deal, as all his years fell within prime (or were before post-prime). It's also why I was fine with trading Price just as he reached post-prime, despite having to pay half his deal. We essentially paid him 150% of his total deal for just his 4 prime years of his deal. (The injuries made that not look so great, but we don't have to "live through" his last 4 likely declining years.)

I think injury (Pedey, Sale) vs just plain sucking (Crawford, Pablito & HRam) makes a difference, too.

I do think it is a little less satisfying to win rings while being the top spender in MLB and maybe even top 3-5 spender. I remember blasting Yankee fans for "buying championships," so I think not taking spending into account would be hypocritical. That being said, I still love the 2018 ring season, despite the massive spending.

This a nice view of the framework we are starting with. The only player you "added" was JBJ. I think $5M x 2 is more likely. We will certainly sign 1-2 SP'ers and 2-3 RP'er, a CF'er and maybe 1B and/or 2B.

I looked at that box score after 5. The Braves had reached base 23 of their first 37 PAs!

I've been JBJ's biggest fan since before he was even called up, but I'm not sure he'll be the best option going forward, even at $10M/2 or $15M/3.

If the Sox were willing to pay JBJ what he got this year, we may be the top bidders next year, too. He's not making $11M/1 anywhere. I doubt he makes more than $7M1, $12M/2 or $15M/3.

Agreed. The deals I did not like at the times were the Kimbrel and Pom trades. The Pom trade looks fine, since Espinoza has lived on the IL. I still think we overpaid for Kimbrel and his contract, but he did well for us, and we needed a closer. I loved the Sale trade.

It's pretty sad state of affairs, when the only thing to get a little bit excited about, this year, are tiny sample sizes by Munoz and Dalbec, and maybe Perez's whole season.

Dalbec is making a strong play for the 1B job in 2021. There's still a long time to go for that to be a sure bet. He won't even get as many PAs, this year, as Middy got before he flopped.

It's not like we have avoided drafting or signing IFA ( only top bonuses listed unless notable)pitchers. Here's a list with what draft pick they were: 2006 1. Daniel Bard 1. Kris Johnson 1. Caleb Clay 2. Justin Masterson 3. Bryce Cox (5 of top 7 picks were pitchers) IFA 4. Conuegra, 5. S Pimental 2007 1. Nick Hagadone 3. Brock Huntzinger (3 of top 5 picks were pitchers) IFA 4. Roman Mendez, 5. R Velette 2008 1. Casey Kelly 1. Bryan Price 3. Stephen Fife 3. Kyle Weiland (4 of top 5- pitchers) IFA 1. Junichi Tazawa, 5. Luis Diaz, 14. Wm Cuevas 2009 2. Alex Wilson (1 of top 2) IFA 4. Raul Alcantara, 5. Mario Alcantara, 6. R Betancourt, 15. Frank Montas 2010 1. Anthony Ranaudo 2. Brian Workman (2 of top 4) IFA 3. Edwar Garcia, 4. Edwin Osorio, 4. Jose Espita 2011 1. Matt Barnes 1. Henry Owens 4. Noe Ramirez (2 of top 3) IFA 4. D. Romero, 5. Daniel McGrath 2012 1. Brian Johnson 1. Pat Light 2. Pat Callahan 3. Austin Maddox 4. Ty Buttrey (8 of top 9 picks were pitchers) IFA 1. Jose Almonte, 6. Gersson Bautista 2013 1. Trey Ball (7th pick) 2. Teddy Stanki. (4 of top 5) IFA 1. Dalier Hinojosa, 3. E De Jesus, 4 J Diaz, 10 D. Hernandez 2014 1. Michael Kopech 3. Jake Cozart (3 of top 5) IFA 2. Anderson Espinoza, 3. C Acosta, 4. J Espinoza 2015 6. Lakins 7. B, Taylor 8. L Allen (0 of top 4) IFA 1T. Cesar Gonzalez & J Figuero 2016 1. J Groome (12th overall) 3. Shaun Anderson 5. M Sharawyn (4 of top 6) IFA (penalty) 1. Hector Velazquez 2017 1. T Houck 4. J Thompson (4 of top 6) IFA: 7. B Aquino 2018 3. D Feltman 5. T Ward (2 of top 5) IFA 7. G Jackson 2019 3. Zeferjahn 4. N Song (2 of top 4) IFA 5. Nathan Cruz, 6. Cesar Ruiz 2020 4. Wu-Yelland 5. S Drohan (2 of top 4) IFA Projected: 4. Alvo Mejias & Peyton Nunez

No, it's not easy, but other teams do it, and some teams, even winning ones like the Dodgers keep churning them out left and right. You'd think we could have at least gotten lucky, once. Maybe it's our development more than our picks. We also have struck out on IFA pitchers. The last notable ones were DiceK and Okajima.