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Downs looks like his ceiling is utility infielder. The only reason he’s getting any mention is Soxprospects put him atop their SS depth chart, which doesn’t mean much. They did it because he’s here and on the 40 man, not because anyone - including the writers at Soxprospects - believes he will be the opening day shortstop. And it’s not like that website has any connection to the team; they’re independent and completely unaffiliated with the Sox. They also have starting lineups for the next few seasons, all of which only use players within the organization. They’re not trying to predict anything, but what they are doing is showing gaps. And right now, the Sox have one at shortstop. And since no borderline sane person thinks Downs will start this year, what you can glean from this depth chart is the Sox clearly need a SS right now. They might move someone like Kike or Story there. Or they might sign a big name free agent or trade for a stopgap player to bridge to Mayer. But they’re clearly going to do something. As for priority, Bloom did say multiple times Bogaerts is his top priority…

He is today. Check again in February and he probably won’t be. Not sure how many are ahead of him in the DFA Queue. And I apparently can’t guess because I would have thought Ort was ahead of Bazardo…

Yes we get you don’t like his moves. You told us as much all the way through the ALCS 2 years ago…

Then who plays 2b or CF? The point is there’s some voids. Of course arguing over which is the top priority is kind of stupid since they’ll all get addressed as best they can.

He’d be a better option if he wasn’t aging and weak defensively. If Bogaerts would move to LF or 3b at some point, I’d like him better. Not sure if he still has that “I’m not moving off shortstop” attitude…

And yet he’s atop the current Sox shortstop depth chart. Unless you can name a player currently higher…

Not to mention, moonslav was listing the weakest spots a top the Sox current depth chart. Jeter Downs is the top of the SS depth chart. Know why? MAYBE BECAUSE SS IS THE BIGGEST NEED!! You really tried to discredit Soxprosoects for pointing out Downs is currently atop the Sox depth chart? Who else? Bogaerts can’t take over that spot until he gets signed…

He’s a better option than Correa and Turner?

So Baker nixed Contreras because he assumed he’d complain a lot? The only takeaway I get is Baker basically nixed the deal because he wanted a backup catcher and didn’t think Contreras wanted that role. That means little to the Sox…

Bogaerts is not on the team. He opted out yesterday. He officially became a free agent…

I’m down him, but really only to the point where I’m calling for lowercase letters, not advocating for his DFA

Let me debunk that rumor - it never happened. Baker last managed the Cubs in 2006, at which time Contreras was 14 years old and nowhere near the Cubs’ clubhouse. In fact, he wouldn’t get in it for another 10 years. By then, was two teams further down his managerial career. So not sure why Crane asked Baker. Might as well have asked me…

The whole point was the Sox have better options for closer than they have for SS and RF…

So my thoughts on free agent pitchers: 1. Give a QO to Eovaldi. If he accepts, he’s certainly tolerable for one season. I don’t think Nate has very many seasons left in him, but he was the best pitcher in the AL by fWAR as recently as 2021. $19.35mill is not a big raise, but the one year makes it a bargain. 2. Looking at Zone% and Contact% over the past 3 years, the two best free agent SPs might be Eovaldi and Carlos Rodon. Both are worrisome for multi year deals. Both are smarter investments than Jake deGrom. 3. Free agent relievers like Rafael Montero, Robert Suarez and Michael Fulmer should be signed. And Bloom? If you can’t decide which one, collect them all!

An interesting but rarely (if ever on this board?) thought might be Willson Contreras as catcher/DH. It might mean the Sox would have to keep Connor Wong and jettison Bobby Dalbec. I’m not sure that’s a dealbreaker for anyone. Except Dalbec, obviously…

First you need to put Swanson in a rocket that travels at the speed of light…

No! No trading all the Sox Cutters/Kutters in one trade!!

I think this year, that position might be best expressed with lowercase letters. Hosmer is not a DH; Hosmer is a dh…

None of us care about Henry’s wallet. Some of us acknowledge that he isn’t going to spend without limits. And apparently some still think rich people are going to pay more money happily in order to make sure complete strangers are entertained…

The sooner he moves the better. Banning the shift will make defense all that much more important…

The hardware doesn’t mean s as h much (different positions plus want he a KC dole team rep?), but Benintendi’s age and that he’s generally healthier than Nimmo should matter. The big issue with Benintendi is that as a hitter he’s about as unpredictable as it gets. 2022 he was a high OBP singles machine. In 2021, his OBP about 50 points lower but his SLG was 50 points higher. In 2020, he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat, but he did draw a lot of walks. So what is he?

I hope you’re right about Barnes and Brasier but wrong about Taylor…

So don’t have a good SS right now; all they have is exclusive negotiating rights for the next couple days. And they really only have that if Bogaerts is willing to talk…

Post 3145 of this thread did. I just want two stellar relievers. If one closes, fine. If Houck gets first shot at closing, I get why. Ditto Schreiber. But two good relievers is a must, regardless of role or arm they throw with. (One can be Whitlock, but probably won’t be.)

So then what was your point, besides the Sox not currently having a closer who was top ten all time in saves?