moonslav59

These awards have been a joke often times. That being said, JBJ deserved one. Betts was a lock. Kinsler's award may be more of a lifetime achievement thingy.

If it's not Groome, who else will prevent the imaginary cliff from happening?

Ben was able to get a lot of international free agents that made a high impact on our current team- some via big trades. True, the ban on signings hurt DD for a year, but the system changed as well. That is not DD's fault, but the reality is that it is much much harder to sign or draft players when you keep having one of the best records in MLB and break the luxury tax barrier more times than not. Past international FA signings: Theo Doubront Dice-K Okajima Tazawa W Cuevas Montas (part of Peavy trade) Bogaerts Aro (part of C Smith trade) Margot (centerpiece of Kimbrel trade) Ben T-W Lin J Guerra (part of Kimbrel trade) L Basabe (part of Sale trade) L basabe (part of Thornburg trade) Moncada (centerpiece of Sale trade) R Devers D Hernandez J. Diaz DD B Mata H Velazquez D Flores (deceased) D Diaz

I find it strange that so many people poo-poo'd Espinoza as a long shot after we dealt him away and now look to Groome as a possible savior. Our farm is weak. I don't think that is being pessimistic. I think it is being realistic. I have hopes for several prospects, but the very best ones are so far away, it's hard to feel that confident.

Owners make untold millions through TV, concessions, memorabilia and the gate, but perhaps most of all, they make a tremendous profit when they sell their teams. I'm never surprised by how much salaries are increasing. Look at what Oprah makes. Look at what actors and musicians make. Entertainment is big business.

I think so, too.

We could sign nobody and still win 100. Book it!

It's the totality of it all. 108 wins in a division with the Yanks and the Rays. 11-3 in the playoffs vs very tough opponents in a league known for great top 4-5 teams.

My point was, there would have had to have been more than one differing bounce. Thanks for the evidence that proves my point.

As it turned out, we were so good, we didn't even need the home field advantage.

All of what you brought up is concerning, but I'm not sure if he deserves that label at this point. I just hope he stays healthy.

I disagree. We'd have had to have had numerous differing bounces to change the outcome. BTW, we did have a "bad bounce" in a way, when Kinsler over ran that grounder.

It would have taken quite a few differing bounces to flip any of those series.

I think DD has done a better job than I expected given the picks he got and the restricted international market he faced. That being said, I'm not impressed by our farm system. I'm not expecting much help for at least 2 years.

JD better keep Rafael away from those Cuban sandwiches.

The article claims that by going over the $40M line, we will be taxed 62% for the whole amount. I was under the impression we'd be charged 20% for every dollat over $197M, another 12% for every dollar between $20M and 40M and 62% for every dollar over $40M. Am I wrong, or is the article wrong?

"Boston surpassed the threshold by slightly beyond $40.85MM..." My guess is, we did not exceed the $40M line, if we came that close.,

I'm not a big fan of these WAR projection services. I'm more about 2-3 year sample sizes not one year. One never knows how much other GMs value players like Chavis and Shawaryn. Maybe it might take Chavis and Johnson or Chavis, Workman & Shawaryn.

MLBTR's top pitchers and projected contracts that the Sox might be interested in kicking the tires: $17.5M x 4 Kimbrel $15M x 4 Eovaldi $16M x 2 Morton $11M x 3 J Familia $11M x 3 Z Britton $11M x 3 Robertson $11M x 3 Ryu $10M x 3 Ottavino $9M x 3 A Miller $9M x 3 J Kelly $8M x 1 Herrera $11M x 2 M Harvey $11M x 2 T Cahill $7M x 6 Y Kikuchi $8M x 2 C Allen $7.5M x 2 D Holland $6M x 2 B Brach $6M x 2 W Miley $5M x 2 G Richards $5M x 2 J Chavez $6M x 1 E Santana

1) Barnes has been good for more than 1 year. 2) We are not looking to rebuild: Texas is.

I can see Vazquez catching 4 starters and Leon just Sale. Maybe let Leon catch Price here and there, when Vaz needs a breather. I'm thinking we might trade Swihart and Johnson (both out of options) for a better 6th starter or a decent Rp'er... not a prospect.

There are plenty of options. The Red Sox could also resign Kelly and give him the role. The Red Sox don't need a long term closer--they already have that locked up in Feltman. The Red Sox need a bridge closer, a guy who can do the job for one season until Feltman is ready in 2020. I would sign Britton to a one year pillow contract. Throw extra cash in the contract to entice Britton to sign a one year deal. If he rediscovers his dominant form, the Red Sox can get a pick for Britton next year. It's funny, to me, how a guy like Kelly, who most of us didn't want to even be on the playoff rosters, is now being considered as a possible replacement for Kimbrel. I'm not high on Britton, but I think he has a better shot of being a capable closer than Kelly does. He might just go for a one year deal, but if we are looking to reset the tax after 2020, we can go 2 years, if needed. The thing that many people are overlooking is just how well Dombrowski has rebuilt the farm system. The Red Sox must have the best farm system in baseball that no one talks about. The Red Sox have several future major league starters in the system, Groome, Houck, Shawaryn. A future closer in Feltman. And future infield starters such as Casas (long ways away), Dalbec (could be ready in 2020 for 1b or 3b), Flores (long ways away), Chatham (perhaps a future starter at 2b, could be ready in 2020), Ockimey (could be ready in 2020), and Lakins (profiles as an above average set up reliever). I disagree. I realize DD has not had any high draft picks and started off with a year of international FA signing ban, and he's done pretty good under those circumstances, but I see our farm as being very weak. Plus, our best prospects just had surgery or PED suspensions. I'm not too optimistic about any prospect helping the big team in the next year or two. Beyond that, it's hard to project. It wouldn't make sense for the Red Sox to offer Pearce anything more than a one year contract; Dalbec and Ockimey will be cheap options at first base in 2020. Moreland has only one year remaining on his contract. My guess is we let Ockimey & Chavis fight for a 25 man roster slot in 2019. If neither does well, we will look to trade for a platoon 1Bman again next summer. While the Red Sox have some promising minor league infielders, their minor league outfielders really suck, it is a weakness in the organization, but two of the three OF spots are locked up long term: Benintenti & Betts. I'm not sure about Bradley. For some players, defense declines rather early and Bradley's bat doesn't carry him. JBj has 2 more years of control and hit over .830 over his last 81 games. I'm hopeful his bat will be fine going forward. Over the past 3-4 years, his bat has been a plus, when compared to other MLB CF'ers. I think we tend to remember the recent good sample sizes for guys like Kelly, Brasier and Barnes, but neglect to credit guys like JBJ for much longer sample sizes of good play. Just my perception.

The best one.

2004 was a magical season that broke a cycle of frustration and ineptitude. It will likely be the most special championship for most Sox fans old enough to realize the significance of that season. The way we came back vs our nemesis, the Yanks, make that season even more legendary and memorable. 2007 showed the world the Sox were here to stay and that 2004 was not a fluke. It's actually pretty amazing how few players were significant players on both the 2004 and 2007 teams. Bothe the 2004 and 2007 teams were great teams on paper. 2013 was a season of guts and grit. The way the city responded to the Marathon bombing and united in so many ways was a special back-drop to that season's championship run. It was hard not to love that team. They were not the best, on paper, but the clubhouse was tight, and they pulled together to do whatever it took to win it all. To me, 2018 is the best team on paper. The record, the coaching, the balance, and the focus & determination combined seemed unmatched by previous Sox teams. I wouldn't call the 2018 championship season the most memorable, but to me, this is the best Sox team I have ever seen, and I've been a Sox fan since 1972. 2004, 2007, 2013, 1975 and 1978 were great teams, too, but this one is better.

I'd prefer Porcello, too, but... Porcello 1863 Innings, 1998 hits with Boston: 990 Innings, 802 Hits