notin

Half arrogant. I'll credit you with the "arro" part, but you have to earn the "gant" on your own...

Fourth in the AL with a 3.54 team ERA. What's wrong there? Arguably a better bullpen in 1978, but then the pen was not used the same as it is today...

Dee Gordon and Billy Hamilton aren’t true base stealers? And Hamilton is not a”base stealing specialist” before you counter with that. He’s also a defensive wizard considered to be among the best in the game. Really his only weakness is hitting. It’s just that it’s an astoundingly prominent weakness...

But a “marginal major leaguer” is still among the best in the world. Think about the best teammate you ever had. How far did he get?

The AAA depth is what I’m talking about. It’s not like the lineup in Pawtucket is loaded with prospects who need playing time. Chavis and maybe Travis and Ockimey, and that’s about it. The Sox could and probably should fill another position or two down there with some of the unemployed MLB veterans still looking for work, like DD did with the pitching staff...

First of all, “tied with a zillion others” won’t get you out of A-ball in baseball. But more important, don’t confuse a lack of assessments and measurements with equality. Baseball makes it easier, with stat upon stat upon stat. There are factors that differentiate us all at what we do. They’re just not on Fangraphs...

Sure it covers a lot of territory, but it’s still true in nearly every case. To make the majors, you have to be one of the best 750 baseball players in the world or very close to it. I don’t think I’m among the best 750 in the world at anything. Are you? Even the worst players in MLB are amazingly talented at baseball. Trayce Thompson was among, if not the worst player in MLB last season. But he is still an amazing baseball player to the point where he belongs among the top 750 in the world. And yes, that fact alone very likely does make him better at baseball than you or I are at anything...

1978?

Maybe, but the Sox need to determine the health of Pedroia and Nunez. It's not exactly improbable both have issues physically. And that leaves Holt at the starting 2B as well as backup IF and backup OF. That might be too much for one player. (Actually it is too much for one player.) Also the "defensive 3b" thing is on Cora's wish list from some article I read at some point. I think he is well aware of the abilities of Devers and the existence of Holt and Nunez and still wanted this role filled. A minor league deal to someone like Logan Forsythe might not be a bad idea. With soxprospects.com listing Tony Renda as the starting 2B in Pawtucket, these's a really good chance he would not be taking precious playing time from a developing prospect. The Sox did sign Esteban Quiroz for a reason at one point. And while they clearly viewed him as expendable this off-season, was that because they felt 2B was all shored up? Or because DD realyl wanted Colten Brewer, a pitcher he had tried to acquire on at least 2 previous occasions? I think more of the latter, with the need for Brewer exceeding the need for Quiroz, but that doesn't mean Quiroz wan't needed. And hey, we all probably though Brandon Phillips was a pointless signing last off-season, too...

Which is interesting because the only starting position players from outside the system are Martinez and Moreland...

I believe it's like July 15th, and he might have a partial or full NTC. Altherr and/or Williams are more likely trade targets, since their salaries and control are not prohibitive to any team. Of course, the Phillies have no pressing needs right now, either. Maybe a fifth SP, but it's not urgent...

True. The “trash” is still going to win an average of about twice in every five games and will still have 25 MLB-caliber players on the roster, all of whom are better at baseball than any of us are at anything...

For me, it’s 1) Does Boston get another reliever? 2) Do the Sox replace the lost 2b depth and try to fill Cora’s desire for a defensive 3b? 3) Do the Sox try to expand outfield depth or SS depth? Admittedly, there isn’t much left for SS..

Ths might reinvigorate a little alte action into a dull off-season. The Phillies are already 4 deep in the outfield before signing Harper. At least one and maybe two of McCutchen, Altherr, or Williams could be moved. The could move Odubel Cabrera also, but that doesn't open up a corner slot.

I saw that. Good for him I do think it's time Double D went back into the pool and grabbed another minor league free agent signing or two. And maybe - just maybe - signed a reliever to an MLB contract...

Biggest difference is probably John Henry has to switch from imported caviar to domestic for a few months....

Oh come on. I turned Bryce Brentz into a video game cover and asked you if you wanted the same losing side to the argument again this year? A bit over the top in the arrogance department for me, but clearly attempted humor. Also, Bryce Brentz is not a major leaguer...

Hey I thought he was worthless a year ago. But hey, now it’s 214 PCL at bats later and this guy is ready for the cover art on “The Show 2020”...

Atlanta? Chicago (either)? Minnesota?

Per MLBTR, Harper is in “deep negotiations” with Philadelphia. It was only a mere 5 weeks ago Philly was going to make him an actual offer. Nice to see everyone getting around to negotiating it...

It seems to me he’s only hated by fans and Jesus Aguilar. Even Pedroia says nice things about him...

Yeah. Bryce Brentz. Do we really need to rehash the Bryce Brentz “not a major leaguer/no really at 30 years old he’s still young enough to improve” argument? And do you want to take the same losing side again this year?

Ellsbury was hardly a flash in the pan. He had a very good career for Boston. New York just gave him too many years...

Let’s not pretend Lin is a star ready to bust out. His ceiling is Ed Jurak. Still think the Sox could help their depth with some minor league deals, like Logan Forsythe, Carlos Gomez, and maybe beat Cincy to the punch for Iglesias. Also don’t forget about Gorkys in the outfield. I’d think he’d be higher on the depth chart than Brentz...

Justin Turner also has the same injury and surgery as Pedroia and Wright and didn’t miss a beat...