moonslav59

That would make September less flexible than it already is. I could see a freeze at 28 or 27, or just make it 26 or 27 and keep the rules of roster changes the same as during the year.

I agree, but he still did not perform as expected for the Dodgers. It was a great trade by Ben. Napoli actually had a much better WAR than AGon in 2013 (3.9 to 2.9). From 2013 to 2016, the 1B team WAR has been this: BOS 11.9 LAD 10.5 When you figure in the savings we got financially, which allowed us to sign other players, I still maintain it may have been the best Sox trade in my lifetime.

1) It hasn't been agreed on yet. 2) I think we may see most teams sticking with the same amount of pitchers but will add a specialist (PR'er, defensive whiz, PH'er type).

Ben's legacy in Boston has improved a bit. The Porcello trade and extension has helped. The big Dodger trade that helped us dump oodles of dead contract cost us AGon, but has anybody noticed how AGon has done after the trade? OPS by club: .888 SDP .895 BOS .807 LAD

Is it true the Yanks will pay $5.5M of McCann's remaining contract?

The Stros also signed Reddick ($52M/4).

And, it would allow for more RP'er use during the season, if the 26th man is a pitcher, or it could allow for a pinch runner type, 3rd catcher or other specialty type players.

I really like Holt. I think he has high value. However, with our all DH Papi retiring, and Swihart able to play LF in a pinch, I don't see Holt as the number 2 guy anywhere on the field next year, except maybe 3B, if Pablo flops and Moncada takes too long to get ready. I also think Hernandez is pretty close to Holt on the 3B depth chart anyways. I'm not for handing Holt away, but I think in a package, he may be enough to sweeten a deal "just enough" to get who we want.

Talk on the CBA negotiaitons: There has reportedly already been consideration of going from 25 to 26 players on the active roster. The new rule under consideration might limit clubs to 28 players for any given game during the final full month of the season, with additional provisions allowing that group to be modified — but not every single day.

Just listened to the soxprospect.com podcast with Alex Speier. http://news.soxprospects.com/2016/11/podcast-ep-109-alex-speier-on-ranking.html His Sox Top 10: 1) Beni 2) Moncada 3) Devers 4) Kopech 5) Groome 6) Travis 7) Dubon 8) Basabe 9) Dalbec 10) Raudes Says top 5 are "basically unmatched in MLB right now". The fall off after Dalbec is "considerable" due mostly to recent trades and loss of two international classes. "The stack of trade chips has dwindled..." One concern with Beni is the 4 injuries that have caused himt o miss some time (including his delayed start in the minors due to injury. Devers took a big step forward on defense this year, but may not be ready in 2017. Maybe Moncada will be moved to the OF. On why he has Kopech ahead of Groome: "Some scouts, after watching him pitch, have said Kopech is the best pitcher they have ever scene...One scout has Kopech as the Sox number 2 prospect...Both have high ceilings. Groome may have more ways to get there, but since he's younger, there's more ways not to get there." On Raudes at #10 who struggles to reach 90 mph: "I have him very close to Johnson. Johnson's stuff has always been fringy. He needs a full compliment of pitches working. He's a question mark. Raudes is very creative with a three pitch mix. His delivery can disrupt hitters a la Tiant. Willingness to attack the strike zone with 65 grade command. He's showing average stuff, but there's a good chance something moves up." (Compares him to Ervin Santana.) "Dubon is a legitimate SS.... whereas Hernandez is likely a utility guy...may be best suited at 2B. " Dubon may become a super utility guy as he may be able to play the OF too. Hernandez and Dubon both have impressive hit tools. Marco as a lefty hitter is a plus. If Bogey got hurt for the whole year, the Sox may go with Dubon over everyone else. It may take a while to adjust. By the second half, Dubon should be the number 2 SS on the depth chart. Marrero has dropped off a cliff. He had the worst OPS in the minors and his glove doesn't even look plus anymore. Dalbec "jumped his status" from the draft. Chatham looks like he has a good chance to develop into a MLB starter. The draft looks good as a half dozen players still look to be "in the mix".

Agreed, but I'll bet he gets traded somewhere.

Chris Sale is no slap in the face.

Agered. I love JBJ, but I guess Chicago does too. If the CWS were really looking for a long term rebuild, they might go for this: Moncada, Pomeranz, Basabe, T Shaw, Swihart, Owens & Barnes for Sale, Robertson & Frazier

Not if they trade JBJ for Sale.

The thing about Holland is that (if and when healthy) he can be a closer. He may actually choose elsewhere, because we have a closer (Kimbrel).

I think Moncada will be a fine MLB hitter, even if he never brings down the Ks very much. His glove is what bothers me the most. I do think LF might be his final landing spot, and the longer we take grooming him for 3B then 3B and then LF, the longer it might take for him to make the 25 man roster. Our hole at 3B dictates letting him get a chance to improve his defense there, but I'm just not sure how long is long enough.

We need to keep a reserve of starting pitching depth in the minors. Only plan #2 diminished the rotation depth by trading 2 SP'ers for Sale. The others kept the SP'er numbers the same. You are right on the loss of a pick by signing EE. That also goes for signing Turner.

Good point. After DL: 57.1 IP 20 ER 58 H 11 BB 57 K 3.14 ERA (almost identical to 2016) 1.20 WHIP

Number 3 has to make us the AL favorites, but at what cost to the future? 1. Beni CF 2. Pedey 2B 3. Betts RF 4. Beltran LF v RHPs/HanRam v LHPs 5. HanRam 1B v RHPs/Beltran DH (LF @ NL parks)v LHPs 6. Bogey SS vs RHPs/ Young LF vs LHPs 7. Frazier 3B v RHPs/ Bogey SS v LHPs 8. Pablo DH v RHPs/Frazier 3B v LHPs 9. Leon/Vaz (Swihart AAA) C Bench: TShaw, Vazquez, Holt or Hernandez SP1 C Sale SP2 Porcello SP3 Price SP4 ERod SP5 Wright SP6/RP Buchholz Closer Kimbrel RP2 Melancon RP3 Robertson RP4 C Smith (DL)/ R Ross RP5 J Kelly RP6 Abad/Hembree/Scott/Elias

I think number four has the most chance of happening, but I think we may have to give up more to the CWS than I listed. Here would be the 25 man roster with number 4: 1. Beni LF v RHPs/ Young LF v LHPs 2. Pedey 2B 3. Betts RF 4. Beltran DH v RHPs/HanRam v LHPs 5. HanRam 1B v RHPs/Beltran DH (LF @ NL parks)v LHPs 6. JBJ CF v RHPS/ Bogay SS v LHPs 7. Bogey SS v RHPs/JBJ CF v LHPs 8. TFrazier (Moncada AAA) 3B 9. Leon/Vaz (Swihart AAA) C Bench: Young, Holt, Vazquez, Hernandez SP1 Porcello SP2 Price SP3 ERod SP4 Wright SP5 Pomeranz SP6/RP Buchholz Closer Kimbrel RP2 G Holland RP3 C Smith (DL) RP4 R Ross RP5 J Kelly RP6 Abad/Hembree/Scott/Elias

5 years of control for Schwarber is awfully tempting, but 3 years of a Cy Young pitcher, in his prime, for "just" $21M a year is too much to give up.

To me, it was all about his age and projected improvement. All of Porcello's contract years are within his prime years. You just don't see that very often these days.

Of these three plans, which one would you take (or none). Let's not argue about whether the team would accept the trade or not, let's just choose the one we like best or none of the above. 1) Sign EE ($105M/5 with a 6th year team option at $15M with a $5M buyout- making it a $110M/5 of 120/6M deal) Sign Greg Holland ($20M/2) Trade: TShaw, Johnson, Basabe & Barnes to CWS for Todd Frazier & David Robertson 2) Sign Justin Turner ($85M/5) Sign Rich Hill ($50M/3) Trade Moncada, Pomeranz, ERod & Hembree to CWS for Chris Sale & David Robertson 3) Sign Rich Hill ($50M/3) Sign M Melancon ($50M/4) Sign C Beltran ($25M/2) Trade JBJ, Moncada, Pomeranz, Owens & Barnes to CWS for Chris Sale, David Robertson & Todd Frazier 4) Sign Beltran ($25M/2) Sign Greg Holland ($20M/2) Trade: TShaw, Johnson, Basabe & Barnes to CWS for Todd Frazier & David Robertson 5) None of the above

Leaving Verlander off your top 5 picks is another example of why I don't put much stock into any of these awards. I'm glad he won it. It was close between the three top guys. I'm not trying to pat myself on the back here, because Lord knows I've been wrong a lot over the past few years, but one thing I got right was praising the extension we gave Porcello and then sticking with my support through 2015's lack luster season. Keep it up Rick!!!!

I'd rather have Jansen too.