notin

Slasher refuses to wave the white flag. Good for him!

Sale hasn’t been much of a boon in that department anyway...

Watch “Beyond the Curve” for a great documentary about Flat Earthers. Although admittedly the documentary does ignore the present state of the Sox farm...

The only way Sale signs an extension at the end of the season is if something like this happens. If the Sox wanted him back, they got him at the last legitimate opportunity...

Are you sure Owings isn’t a pitcher? He certainly hits like one...

It’s all in my application form...

Tony Armas never pitched a game for the Red Sox, but his contribution was immeasurable since he was a key component in trading for Pedro Martinez. Reportedly Steinbrenner was furious over Boston’s acquisition and asked his front office how they couldn’t get Pedro. He was told “because we didn’t have Armas,” whom they dealt to Boston for Mike Stanley...

The Notin Plan would only trade Betts if I was able to get a package that really dazzled me, assuming I could keep Betts and reset. Sometimes these players you know are going to test the market just don’t. Exhibit A being Xander Bogaerts. And keeping Betts does make the Sox substantially more competitive. I wouldn’t trade Vazquez. I don’t think his trade value is anywhere near the top of the list on the Sox, despite his vast improvements this year. And trading him opens up a tough hole to fill at catcher. If I use the trade values at baseballtradevalues.com (granted - not definitive)the Sox best expendable trade piece is probably Barnes, who, unlike Vazquez, is unknown for how he will impact resetting. And what team doesn’t need relievers? I also think Duran is overvalued, but there is no urgency to move him financially. I think non-tendering Bradley is the right move, despite the horrific outfield depth in the Sox system and the defense he brings. He just hasn’t shown he will be worth $10-12mill in a budget crunch. The Notin Plan would target a defensive CF (Bradley, Lagares, Inciarte). And a fourth OF. And rebuild that bullpen. Probably need 2 good relievers...

Any time you get a new GM, you take the chance he (or Kim Ng) will replace the manager. But even if Cora isn’t replaced immediately, he will definitely be on thin ice...

I think Fire and Reset is the off-season plan. The big question is - do you trade Mookie and hope to get him back? Or do you gamble on getting some prospects while hoping giving another team exclusive negotiating time doesn’t burn you?

But even if he was not allowed to make significant payroll additions, why avoid the waiver claims? And you can’t tell me John Henry said no to players like Anthony Bass, David Hernandez, Trevor Rosenthal, etc, but suddenly gave roaring approval over the decision to sign Chris Owings and Joey Curletta. I don’t think I’ll mind if he gets fired...

The utility infield position, judging by the actions taken by Dombrowski during the season

My overall point has been his inactivity this season. Do you realize the only reliever he acquired in 2019 is Andrew Cashner, a guy who only became one since flopping as a starter? How many players has Dombrowski made moves on this year with trades, claims and signings? Five? And of those 5, only two have seen MLB - Cashner and Owings? Why was he in on Owings and Cody Asche and Joey Curletta, but none of the dozens of MLB relievers to hit the market? I think I’m calling him an idiot because at least that gives an excuse for his complete inactivity since the World Series. Because if he isn’t an idiot, then that just leaves that he just doesn’t care...

But with Fenway, is it the ballpark or Porcello?

Or perhaps he would prefer a team where he’d have a better opportunity and therefore a better chance of pitching next season. Picking off table scraps left by Chapman, Britton, Ottavino, Green and Holder might not present him that chance...

Ah but it’s one way to beat the dreaded shift...

No but he is yet another missed opportunity. If DD had done anything for the bullpen besides sign Ryan Weber and trade for Colten Brewer, I’d feel different. Has Dombrowski added a single reliever yet in 2019 besides one guy who failed as a starter? (Weber and Brewer were both in December, 2018. And it’s sad that I can quantify everything so simply.)

El Peasanto. But it’s close..

The good thing about Chavis is you can stick him anywhere. He’s not elite (or even good) defensively at any position, but he is adequate everywhere. At one point, the Sox talked about trying him in LF. That might actually have to happen...

So a 5.2 IP sample is enough? 11.2 K/9, 2.65 K/BB, 4.35 FIP. That’s better across the board than what the Sox are getting from Colten Brewer...

I’d get to Vegas and place that bet ASAP!!

Seriously? So DD gets Chris Owings but passes on bullpen help? My only explanation for his performance at this point is my new theory - Dombrowski has already been fired. But the Sox brass are keeping it quiet because ... well, there’s really no reason to, is there? So I guess Occam’s Razor applies and I’m back to my old theory - Dombrowski is an idiot. And not even one of those good savant ones..

While I respect your optimism, I don’t share it. I do think the Sox will be following your course of action and not mine. And hey, the 1995 Mariners were 12.5 games back on August 20th and wound up winning a one game playoff for the AL West title. So it’s not unprecedented for this year’s Sox team...

Play more Marco! Also, call up Dalbec and give him a chance. It's audition time for 2020!! Sox might as well see if they need any infielders for 2020 or if they already have them. And start the audition before September when the rest of the league floods their bullpens with AAA pitchers and ruins any evaluations...

Didn't ask if we would. I don't see the two teams swapping young superstars. Just seeing what he thinks the price should be...