moonslav59

I'd do it, but I think we can get him for less without getting the $15M. It seems absurd for Miami to pay Boston anything. Just give less in return.

On Stanton... There are some evaluators around MLB who believe the Marlins need a “reality check” with regards to their asking price for the slugger, Buster Olney of ESPN writes. With $295MM left on his contract and an opt-out clause after 2020 on his deal, Stanton lacks surplus value, per Olney, which jibes with a Morosi report from earlier this week. One executive told Olney that the Marlins are “not going to find teams willing to give up both the money and the prospects, and that’s why [they’ll] probably have to choose: They can either take the talent and eat some of the money, or they’ll have to prioritize the [money] savings.” _______________________________________ I think the Sox might be one of the few teams willing to take the full contract, thereby lessening the return to a point where I think some might be surprised ho little they get back.

MLBTR has a few stories on the Sox... ***One guesses the Sox protect Jaleb Beeks, Chandler Sheherd & Jake Cozart from the Rule 5 Draft. http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/11/19/red-sox-mull-candidates-for-man-roster/tAcBZeJdWU7OND8AqeyjCM/story.html *** One mentions possibly going "small" and saving some money for mid season by "going after ... Jay Bruce, Hyun Soo Kim & Zach Duke." *** One mentions Bryce Brentz looking to get some playing time as the 4th OF'er and talk of lessening Sale's workload next season. They mention the fact that we have 5 more off days in next year's schedule, which will help. http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/261909244/bryce-brentz-added-to-red-sox-40-man-roster/ We have 20 days off during the season, not counting the 4 day all star break. We end the season at home vs Bal for 3 (day off) then 3 at home vs the Yanks. Before those 6 games we go to NYY for 3 then CLE for 3. That's a tough last 12 games. We start the season at TBR for 4 then 2 at Miami (no days off). Then we have a day off, play vs TBR at home, another day off (a rare Friday off), 2 more at home, then another offday before playing NYY (3) and BAL (4) before a west coast road trip with no day off for travel. So, maybe we start the season like this... @TBR Sale @TBR Price @TBR Pom @TBR Porchello @MIA Wright @MIA Sale Off TBR Price +1 Off TBR Pom +2 TBR Porch +2 Off NYY Sale +2 NYY Price +1 NYY Pom BAL Porch BAL Wright +7 BAL Sale BAL Price If we pitch Sale game 2, he gets an extra day's rest before his next 2 starts.

He'd likely be traded for a player (or prospect) who has options left.

I hoping and praying Hosmer goes to one of the other 4 teams you listed. I'm glad Seattle is not contending for a 1Bman anymore. That leaves 3-4 teams looking at... Santana Reynolds & Morrison (not really "big players" but significant enough) Then the next tier... Alonso Moreland Duda Someone may trade for a 1Bman. Someone, like us, might sign Moustakas and move their 3Bman to 1B. Also, we could not even sign a 1Bman and go with Hram at 1B and sign a 4th OF'er who can DH (JD Martinez?).

I seriously doubt he gives a penny back. I was speculating on some sort of possibility of a "compromise", but I know it is highly unlikely.

Maybe a $28M/28 yr guarantee. It's basically like Pedey playing it halfway on forgoing his whole contract vs getting all of it.

What if Pedey retires, forgoes the contract and signs for $10M/10 years to be a bench coach or prospect instructor? Then, in 10 years, we sign him to another $10M/10 year deal?

For argument's sake, let's say Pedey discovers he's all done. Could the Sox get out of paying the luxury tax on him, if he retires and forgoes his remaining contract, and then the Sox - wink-wink- sign him to be a coach at $56M/23 years? (What he's owed as a player)

I wish we had traded Holt when his stock was higher. I'm not sure we trade him this winter, but he could be dealt once Pedey gets back. It's also nice having a 5th OF'er, especially if Brentz fizzles out. I think Marco Hernandez was the back-up plan for Pablo this year, but his injury ruined his chance to prove himself. I do think the Sox organization is high on Marco. With Swihart, Marrero and Holt all out of options, I can see us trading one. Leon was pretty much Sale's caddy this year. Vaz only caught 5 innings with him (13.50 ERA). I could see Leon traded and vaz given the FT job.

I don't remember any Crucifixion as the "push back" did not take away a start from Sale at the end of the season. To me, the question should be about how to treat Sale next season: Less starts? Less pitches per start? Same as this year? Building up the pen might help with this choice. Lots of innings by Price, Pom and Porcello could be crucial but is hard to project.

Yes, the precedent has already been set. I doubt Pedey leaves any money "on the table". He knows he took a couple of discount contracts with the last one being pretty highly paid on the back end, so that money is partly for services already rendered.

MLBTR reported that the A's may go with Matt Chapman or Matt Olson at 1B and use Khris Davis at DH. Yes, they might sign an Adam Lind or Lucas Duda type. The Guardians may go somewhat large at 1B, but there seems to be enough or more than enough for all the "big players." Look at last year's signings at 1B or 1B/DH: $60M/3 Encarnacion $37.5M/3 Trumbo $8.5M/1 Napoli $15M/2 Valbuena $12.5M/2 Pearce $12M/2 B Moss $5.5M Moreland $16M/3 E Thames $3.5M/1 Chris Carter $12.9M/4 Dae-ho Lee $2.5M/1 Morrison $1.5M/1 A Lind

LOL, yes, if we also sign JD Martinez.

The Mariners made yet another trade: this time they help the Yanks clear a roster spot for a rule 5 player to be protected. Seattle acquired Nick Rumeblow. According to MLBTR, the Rays are looking to rebuild and might be open to trade all their biggest contracts, including Longoria & Archer. Look at Archer's Luxury tax cost... Rays Contracts $94M/6 Longoria (Luxury: $16.7M) $33.75M/4 Archer (Luxury: $4.25M) Arbitrations Estimates: Odorizzi $7M (2nd or 3) Dickerson $6.5M (2nd of 3) Hechavarria $5M (3rd of 3) B Miller $5M (2nd of 3) S Souza $4M (1st of 3) Lot's of players to drool over, but how realistic is it for the Sox to have the prospects needed to land one from a divisional rival?

I get it, but I still think if there is anyone who can comeback from this, it's Pedey. I realize he may not. One cannot will himself against nature and win.

Hard to know, but neither is anyone we should count on in an important role. One may end up winning a key role, but they will not be handed one over this winter.

Cleveland might go with EE and/or Chisenhall. My guess is KC gets Morrison or Moreland, and TB gets Duda. The A's will not sign a 1Bman and Seattle has the A's 1Bman for next year. Maybe Reynolds returns to COL. That leaves Hosmer, Santana and Alonso with Texas and the Sox as the biggest bidders out there. Am I missing something? (Someone?)

True, but I'll bet on the chance he returns before expected (mid May).

Signing "second level" free agents like Santana and Cozart might be the best plan, if prices get way out of hand for Stanton & JD Martinez. It's hard to imagine how to give everyone enough ABs by signings a 1Bman and shortstop: 1B: Santana (HRam) 2B: Bogey then Pedey SS: Cozart 3B: Devers then Bogey (when Pedey returns) DH: HRam then Devers (when Pedey returns) I'm not sure jerking Bogey all around is a good idea. I guess we could trade him for a pitcher and then focus on keeping Betts & JBJ with extensions.

...and, how many teams really need a 1Bman? Since the Sox could sign a 3Bman and move Devers to 1B or DH, we have even more players to choose from. 1Bmen Free Agents Yonder Alonso Lucas Duda Eric Hosmer John Jaso Adam Lind * Mitch Moreland Logan Morrison Mike Napoli Mark Reynolds Carlos Santana

I think pride is an element of it all, too. No GM wants people to think the bought a championship. Certainly, if the Dodgers had won last year, we'd have heard the same argument as we did for years against the Yanks. I do think Henry could easily pay for a $300M budget plus the luxury taxes, but he won't, and he hasn't. I think Henry okays us going over by $39.99M this season, if we have to in order to be highly competitive, but eventually, he will want to reset the tax again. He will not want to be the highest paid team in MLB- maybe for one single year only.

Cool. I played a few games with Orlando Wooldridge, Tracy Jackson and Silk Wilcox while at ND. Played many more with some football players during the off season, including Jerome Heavens, Luther Bradley and Dave Waymer (RIP)- many were all state in basketball but came to ND to play football. I lived in the only dorm that had mostly single rooms, so it was jock city. Joe Montana's room was just a few doors down from my room, but I never saw him in his room. (He lived "secretly" off campus.)

I think players understand how the system works. The big pay days come later in their careers.

With Pedey out, I think Holt sticks on the 25 man roster, at least until we see how Brentz looks and if Marco can handle 2B. Marrero is out of options. I think he goes and Holt stays. Lin begins the year at AAA. Swihart may force his way into the choice for the 25th slot as he is out of options as well. (Phantom DL? Trade someone?)