Nick

To me, making an error means nothing. What I want to know is did it cost the team? How many of Devers errors lead to runs? The guy just turned twenty two. With a team full of high priced players, you need the Devers of the world sprinkled into the lineup. I'm glad the clown at 3B is a Red Sox. He's come up with big hits in the playoffs. His hit before being pulled for Nunez was the go ahead RBI I believe. He has a high ceiling and you have to live with his mistakes. Obviously not in the world series but you've got to pick your spots to get him out for defensive purposes. Please don't trash the kid.

Is it time to reevaluate bringing back Kelly? Perhaps as a closer candidate? He will be cheaper than Kimbrel. I think with relievers, you got to ride the 'wave'. Maybe he's found something with repertoire of off speed pitches. Both Kelly and Barnes have stepped up. It's all about being able to throw strikes and throwing something other than a fastball, no matter how fast it's thrown.

Cot has updated CB Payroll for 2019 with projected arbitration pay of $63M for 13 players. Basically 40 man CB Payroll which includes player benefit is now up to $212M before adding any players. We lose Kimbrel, Pom, Kelly and Nunez (he's NOT in $212M, Moon). Tax threashhold for 2019 is now $206M and say we get right up to second tier, or $206M + $39M for $245M. Basically we have $33M to come up with a fifth starter, a closer, a platoon partner at 1B and maybe depth at 2B. Just for the sake of easy numbers, we will pay 30% on $40M instead of 20% as a second year offender in 2019. That amounts to $12M instead of $8M. We'll also pay a surcharge of 12% on $20M, or $2.4M. The first surcharge (between $20-$40M overage remains the same. So we'll pay $14.4M instead of $10.4M in penalties because we are a second year offender. To me, spending $20M to $39.9999999M really has no real consequences. You're geting hit with $2.4M ADDITIONAL penalty, which is not a big deal. We've already decided that losing 10 spots is really not a big deal either when you're drafting 30th every year. At that point, you're basically throwing darts on draft board. Question then becomes how creative can DD get with a 'budget' of $33M? Realistically, he'll spend $20M and pocket the rest for August trades.

I don't believe we'll re-set CB Payroll to come under the tax for next year. DD will want to "go for it" in 2019. Hopefully back to back scenario. Yankees will be on our heels. In the past, he's always been very single minded about getting what he thinks Sox needs AND getting it done, regardless of cost. With that in mind, 1) Kimbrel maybe too expensive for Sox. Will he look to trade for a closer, or go with cheaper closer alternatives? It's highly unlikely to think HE thinks we have internal option. How about Britton or Miller? 2) My guess is he LIKES to have Eovaldi back. I don't think he'll be all in on him but if he perceives Eovaldi is in Sox price range, he'll bump up the $$ or a year in length of the contract. 3) Need a back up plan for Pedey and another 1B. Moreland is breaking down. One bad tweak and he's out extended period of time. Chavis may not be ready until July/August. I'm guessing he is working out at 1B. 4) Having JD play some 1B will go long ways in adding 'depth' to our line up. 5) Why not entertain the idea of playing Betts full time at 2B? It's probably easier to sign a DH with some power opposed to super star 2B. 6) When your payroll is north of $230M, you have to cut corners somewhere and that's our bullpen. Our farm system has to produce relievers. We certainly can't spit out quality starters. 7) Sox will have won 4 world series titles in 15 years, ahead of Giants (3), Cardinals (2), Cubs (1), Yankees (1), White Sox (1), Phillies (1), Royals (1), Astros (1). We're good. And always remember this. It's not important what you think, it's more important what you think DD is thinking.

Pom's got too much going on inside his head. I hate to be in it.

I don't think it's a bad idea to sign a starter this winter with both Sale and Porcello becoming FA after the 2019 season. What position would you rather be in? A) Price, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Wright/Johnson/Hector for 2019. Then having to sign either Sale or Porcello versus Pirce, Sale, Porcello, E Rod, Eovaldi for 2019. Then having to sign just Sale, Porcello or another starter? Surely each team has a 1 yr, 3yr and 5 yr plans.

Let's end the Hanley debate. Sox did what was best for the franchise. Period. Again, let's not forget that his $22M will pay for 11 arbitration raises for 2019. That's huge. If we have a 2019 budget similar to 2018 budget, we have $39M to replace Kimbrel, Pom, Kelly and Nunez. (Moon this is based on Cot's new spreadsheet for 2019 which does not have Nunez on the roster and arbitration estimates by mlb trade rumors site. I know that you have sharp eyes fro details.)

4th World Series title since 2004? Let's do this. Get this done and go for #5 in 2019.

Well Cora has done one thing that will help the Sox in 2019. Cutting loose Hanley. We saved $22M for 2019. That amount just happens to be the expected pay raises for 11, count them, 11 arbitration eligible players. Say what you want but that was prudent thing to do. He's managing his personnel well. I don't think we re-sign Kimbrel. I'm guessing we'll trade for another cost controlled closer. Book it.

Yep, I'll say what she said.

Good points. Having someone that can pitch multiple innings is HUGE. His style is so different that it's added bonus. Fire hoser to limp dick to hire hoser. I thought we were aggressive with pinch hitting and part of that was due to having three catchers. I approve.

I only use one stat. How many runners' bases do you advance including yourself divided by plate appearance.

Also, it was full count, runner on 1st was breaking with the pitch. He would have scored easily.

Not true. We were under the cap in 2017. So going into 2019, we are going into it with 1 year of tax limit payroll.

I'd like to see JD get some reps at 1B during spring training next year. I think that's easier than asking Betts to play 2B.

I was good with JBJ, Devers, Price and Kimbrel.

I would love to see Dalbec and/or Chavis get promoted next fall. They can't be much worse than Shaw. More power potential.

Is it time to clear out the farm, again? Anyone with trade value?

Can we go Sale, Price at Fenway than Eovaldi, Porcello, Sale on the road for the World Series? Does Price have enough time to recover?

My priorities are little different than Moon's and I do respect him. Signing Eovaldi takes pressure off Porcello/Sale free agency after 2019. I'm willing to go say 4 years, $60M. Maybe that won't be enough. Arbitration increases will be paid for by Hanley's salary, $22M. Kimbrel, Kelly and Pom will contribute another $25M. Can we sign Eovaldi and TRADE for a closer? We also pick up additional $8M in cap increase to take care of contract raises for Vaz, Sale and anyone else.

That play where he clipped the 1B on purpose, that's all I needed to see. And just to think, Pedey 'defended' him. I will NEVER forget "it's not me, it's THEM".

Tons of possibilities for the Yankees. Not sure why you won't go after Eovaldi. Also if JD opts out, short right field porch would be perfect for JD. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Sox sign Eovaldi as insurance against not signing Porcello and Sale after 2019. JD needs to be extended by the Sox next April. Push back opt out for another couple of years in the process. His bat is a difference maker. For me, Betts, JBJ, Beni, Xander and JD are the core. Not sure if we can keep them all. Good luck with Machado. Perhaps he'll thrive for the Yankees.

Starting line up 2019 c Vaz 1B Moreland/?????? (Cora wanted to give Moreland more at bats, but he seems injury prone at his age) 2B Nunez 3b Devers SS Xander LF Beni CF JBJ RF Betts DH JD Need a right handed bat to go with 1B. Wait and see on Pedey. If he suffers another set back, it's time to move on, look for permanent replacement. Love to see JD work at 1B a little for inter league competition (allows our OF defense to stay in tact). SP Sale, Price, Porcello, E Rod, Johnson, Hector, FA??? I think Wright serves as great middle inning guy that can pitch multiple innings. You need that during regular season. BP..Make it work. Closer...Kimbrel too expensive but who? Big question....when will our farm produce a starting pitcher?

Or he's finally arrived.

Oops, sorry, four more years. FA in 2023.