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You’re a math teacher. You know “subtraction” doesn’t mean status quo. The phrase “addition by subtraction” typically refers to getting rid of s cancerous or awful player. Carl Everett was a good example. Ditto Pablo Sandoval...

Right. You actually said earlier on this thread you were starting to worry. I suggested several closers who might be available in a trade - one of whom was an All Star last season - and naturally you decided to compare those options to a fictional pitcher who aged out of independent leagues. And now you think Ottavino - who combines high salary with a lack of closing AND has a spotty career track record (and a TJ to boot!) is the logical solution. Got it...

Sing it to Dombrowski. Pete Abe write today about how not only did DD leave no room in his budget for a bullpen, this apparently isn’t the first time he’s done so...

K Exactly. Pearce was only signed for one year at bench money. He’s not really an impediment to signing a 4 year $60mill closer. They’re bringing in a pitcher or two. I just think it won’t be Robertson/Ottavino/Britton. I think they sign someone like Shawn Kelley or Brach and trade for another using Chavis/Dalbec (plus?)...

It is the first step. Figure in the payroll situation, the listening to offers etc. The Plan doesn’t appear to be “All in for 2019 and let 2020 fall where it may!!” And going heavy on the closer really could disagree with a long term plan here...

Typically “addition by subtraction” refers to getting better by letting a player go. Hence the “subtraction” part...

Dombrowski’s decision to wait out the closer market.

Yes among other things...

I don’t see the harm either. But last we heard it’s not in the budget. Couple things - who cares if they were secondary options? Did they work out as closers? Also, as for the small window - it is Dombrowski’s job to keep that window open for as long as possible. Unlike a lot of people on this board, he might not be thinking “let’s go all in for 2019 and figure out 2020 when it gets here!!” As much as I think most fans overhype the closer, at the very least they usually do sign short term contracts. I’d love for the Sox to bring in both Ottavino and Britton. (On those projected 3 year deals? Sign me up!) I just don’t see it happening. And while it’s possible that it might still happen, is it looking likely? And does it really make sense for this team? I will say, a lot of fans seem to want to live in a world where Henry buys their worries away and it’s sacririgious to suggest otherwise. And I also don’t see it as the end of the window....

Did you feel this way when the Sox had unproven closers named Uehara and Papelbon? Last year one of the best closers in the AL was Blake Treinen, who, if anything, had proven himself to be an ineffective closer in his previous attempt st the role. I just want a good relief pitcher or two. That they are some sort of “proven closer” doesn’t need to be the priority, and it is possible Dombrowski feels the same way. There is plenty in his history as a GM that says so...

By that logic, the Sox should also stop drafting pitchers completely...

Or.... crazy thought! We could quit pretending that a high salary guaranteed a good reliever and maybe notice that Smith, Jeffress, Yates, and Givens were all better than Kimbrel last year. And Keone Kela - whom I forgot to mention but is also likely available- was only slightly less effective. But I guess some people expect only high priced players who will make more difficult to impossible to retain the core like Betts and insist John Henry owes it to them to spend more. Maybe the Sox should give Kimbrel his 6 year / $100 mill and let EVERYONE walk. That way, in 2024, we know who will handle the ninth inning. As for who handles the other eight innings or who hits to ever get a lead, well, who cares? After all, we’d have a closer. None of the guys I mentioned were untried as closers. But do you remember who the last “unproven” closers for Boston were? Some guys named Papelbon and Uehara. I think they worked out all right, even without all that “closing experience” and without being the highest paid in the game...

Milwaukee is a possibility with either Jeffress (one year remaining) or Knebel (rough year last year, demoted to minors, might or might not be available). San Fran’s Will Smith should be available, as he’s entering his walk year. Mychael Givens is a possibility. Kirby Yates is reportedly available...

Re-sign Bogaerts. Let the rest walk. Maybe keep one of Holt or Nunez at that price...

Ummmm...that implies we let either of them go...

Actually if the Japanese posting process with blind bids is any guideline, it would probably lead to insane overbidding...

I do find it hypocritical that closers are considered for the Hall more readily than DHs...

Anyone who has followed DD's career knows the closer actually is the one position he tends to take chances with. The guy has put together rosters where the closer role has included names like Braden Looper, Todd Jones, Fernando Rodney, Jose Valverde, Joaquin Benoit, and Joe Nathan (at age 39). But I do expect him to make a trade, because THAT is what he does. I expect either Michael Chavis or Bobby Dalbec (or both) to be traded, because both are among the Sox best prospects and the Sox need neither since the current MLB third baseman is younger than both of them...

Well, if the budget is allowed to go up from the current rumors, then anything can happen. But if we are as limited as some think, these 4 guys are not coming to Boston. Unless there is a subsequent salary-clearing deal like Porcello or Bogaerts. But honestly, I would just assume keep both Porcello and Bogaerts and try to get a closer another way...

Really? If I set the over/under for Kimbrel's next contract at 3 yrs/$25mill, where is your bet?

I doubt Kimbrel signs for less than Joe Kelly did, and anything above that appears to be out of the budget. But there are still plenty of good relievers available on the free agent market, and the Sox have a surplus or two to deal from. I think he can add two good relievers to this team...

Maybe it's time someone told you....

Porcello’s contract might be one of the most perfectly timed contracts in MLB. He probably won’t have better years than his ones in Boston under that contract. It kicked in as he was peaking, and will probably end close to when he starts declining...

The Sox might be "in on" Ottavino, but how far in? I haven't heard anything about an offer. I haven't much in the way of any offers for Ottavino, so I suspect once he gets a few, the Sox drop out. If they do go heavy on a reliever, they might have to shed payroll elsewhere. I doubt Henry adopts the "let's go for it one more time" attitude. That strikes me as more of a pipe dream from the fans than the logic employed by a billionaire businessman. I do think DD adds two more relievers (and possibly jettisons Thornburg). One more signing that will make no one's nipples explode with delight. And there will likely be a trade, since we have an issue with an overcrowded roster on the bench...

It he’s not signing a one year deal either. Unlike us fans, Dombrowski doesn’t have the luxury of looking solely at 2019 and has to consider all the future ramifications on his payroll. If he doesn’t do that, he isn’t doing his job...