Nick

Pearce has certainly put Hanley in rear mirror for me. Just a good pick up. He's hit in AL East as he has now played for every AL East team. I hope Hanley takes some time off and return next year. He can play for someone. Just not for $22M.

I love to see Sox give all those hard throwers in our minor league system chance to show what they got. Maybe one will surprise us. There appears to be no shortage of flame throwers. Can they throw strikes?

Yep I was one of those. But I never complain about being wrong. I didn't give him enough slack for not being 100%, Speaking of which, as players become more athletic, they seem to get hurt more. Moreland, Xander and Holt all played with injuries last year. And, Pedey obviously has been playing hurt since he was a baby. I'm a big JD fan but I had to chuckle 'little bit' (my apologies to JD) when Cora said he was banged up from all the foul balls off of his feet. I'm sure they hurt. I like this team. I don't have complaints. I hope they all get healthy come September.

I always thought Moreland signing was a good one. With the signing, Sox had every starter back from last year's Division championship team. AND THAT'S HOW I JUDGE THE SIGNING. DD did the prudent thing. A 2-year, $13M deal was not a break the bank deal. Getting him signed was more important get than having to pay few extra millions. Keep in mind that JD was not a sure thing at the time. When JD was signed, I wrote that in retrospect, Moreland signing was very cheap because Hanley's vesting $ MAY go away. Basically we saved $9M by signing Moreland. Not a bad thing. And looks like Pearce signing will be much better than the 3B we picked up from Miwaukee (Hill?) last year?

+1 +100 directing at our resident Yankee fan

It's scary to think how good this team would be with fully healthy Pedroia and last year's version of Pom. Nunez and Devers gave us a lift last year. Pearce has been a good pick up so far. With him hitting, there's absolutely no discussion about Hanley. Still could use a solid set up guy. Screw the secondary penalty. Losing 10 spots and paying additional 42.5% on the OVERAGE? It's worth increasing the chance of winning the world series. ps. I would package 1st round pick every year for established major leaguer. Exhibit 1 Mookie Betts.

We must have several millionaires on this board. Posters here have the uncanny ability to buy at the lowest point and sell at the highest point. Too bad DD has to work for his money because he can't see the future.

For once, Ben used $70M wisely.

The Fenway cops need to give both of them tickets for loitering around the mound. Maxbialystock I live to read good lines written by our posters.....

Not just for Sale but for all starters. Early conversation was not to push/over work them during Spring Training. That is what I meant. Sale is still much better pitcher than E Rod.

I do think ramping up slowly has been helpful. We'll have to see him August/Sept. He looked exhausted last year down the stretch. I also think he loves pitching in Boston. Big crowds. Competitive team. Same goes for JD Martinez. I think he's excited to be here. Some guys embrace it, others run away from it. BTW, Yankees got swept by the Rays. I don't have any stats in front of me, but the Rays have given Yankees fits over the past couple of years. Sometimes, you can throw out the record. We seem to have problems with the A's, no?

Yep..I've always liked Lin. Give the kid a shot and hopefully Pedroia will return for the final stretch.

One final word on Devers... We complain a lot about lack of development at the farm (sure starting pitching more so than position players). When a kid such as Devers come along management has to give him a long leash. At one point, rightfully or wrongfully, Sox decided Travis Shaw was NOT our future 3B nor 1B. Moon had great analysis on Shaw before the trade. I areed with him Moncada was given a quick look, long enough to convince DD that Devers was better AT 3B. (unknown to us). Moncada was blocked at 2B by Pedey. A big piece was needed to acquire Sale and there you go. We can all see that Devers is talented. He also has physical skills to be a pretty good 3B. Experience, playing time is needed. We have given mile long rope to JBJ. We can be patient with Devers. We have 5 Freakin' years of control after this year. Be happy.

He's here just wanting to feel good about himself. I want to argue with my fellow Sox fans. We are family. He's an outsider butting into our dinner conversation. Nice to have him on holidays but not every Sunday.

There is not a single major league team that would take on Pedey's contract. We couldn't give him away. Name a team that's dumb enough to take on his contract.

We need a set up man.

I'm not worried about Devers. He simply needs to play. I'm more concerned with injury/ineffectivenss of Pom, JBJ offensively, Pedey getting 100% and Thornburg finally making contribution for the Sox. Of all the problems, Devers is not a concern. He needs to be given opportunity to play. He's 21. What are we going to do? Invest money in some has been? Or block Devers completely? Playing in AAA does Devers absolutely NOTHING.

It's all about missed opportunities. Betts has no interest other than to become a free agent. I'm saying that you offer him what you are going to pay Harper. If he's not interested than trade him. You LOCK up players you want for future. I want Betts. I want Sale. I would do to Sale what Sox did with Porcello. Give him a contract that he can't refuse. You sign it April of 2019 to take effect 2020. No effect on AAV for 2019 season and no luxury tax implication for 2019. But if Betts refuse Harper money, then you move on. NOTHING f***ING DELUSIONAL. Target your best players and pay them what they are worth. DON'T f***ING LESTER BETTS. Pay him whatever he wants. THAT'S MY POINT.

If you are DD, you're just going to sit on your ass and 'hope' Betts sign? No back up plan? What if he just wants out? No one can convince me Betts is much BETTER than Harper. You have two free agents this winter that are young and have productive years in front of them. Machado is better value at ss than Xander. DD is the type that thinks big. I'll go forward with core group of Harper, Machado, Martinez, Beni and Devers.

Moon, you're numbers guy.... We have two years of Betts, no gurantee of re-signing him in two years. What can we get in trade for Betts after we win the world series this year? Luxury tax limit goes up to $206M for 2019. Based on this year's budget, then our ceiling is $246M. I'm assuming Sox is willing to extend Betts at any price, but he's not interested. KEEP THAT IN MIND. Here we go. Tade Porcello, Xander, Bradley and Betts. Surely we're able to get one or two young, cost controlled, starting pitchers. One should be major league ready. Porcello $20.625 M Hanley $22.000 M (option not vested) Xander $7.050 M Bradley $6.100 M Kelly $3.825 M (FA) Betts $10.500 M Pom $ 8.500 M (FA) total $78.600 M With starting AAV of $235,325,600, we rid of $78,600,00 and get down to $156,725,600. With a budget of $246M, we have available $89,274,400. Note that we have rid of high priced arbitration players. Arbitration raises will not be a big issue in 2019 after the trades. Sign Machado and Harper at $33M AAV, you can front load it but have an opt out after 5 years (they are still young, make the first 5 years at $35M). Re-sign Kimbrel at $18M or $5M pay increase. Total FA signing is thus $71M and leaving the Sox with $18M for arbitration increase. With no other signings, we still have cushion to sign perhaps another bat on the cheap. Our line up would look like this. Beni, Harper, Machado, JD, Moreland, Pedroia, Devers, Vazquz, Nunez or DH signing. Compare it to Beni, Betts, Xander, JD, Moreland, Pedroia, Devers, Vazques and JBJ. Less defense but overall more power. The beauty is we don't have to worry about losing Xander and Betts and getting nothing in return. In essence, we are paying Harper what we would have paid Betts but now we get something in return. Someone would love to have Betts for two years, I bet. We should get a young starter in return, at minimum. Pitching staff? We'll still have Price, Sale and E Rod. We should get a fourth starter in Betts trade and we have Wright and others for 5th spot. This rotation is serviceable. We can then sign Sale in 2020 using the $18M in relief we get from Pablo's contract. We still have Kimbrel and our bullpen I think will be fine. This is being pro active and money works. There will be new CBA by 2023 and luxury tax will again go up. It really is a perfect time to extend our championship. window. I would pay to go watch Harper, Machado, JD, Devers and Beni. What's the down side?

I just don't think we'll be in as bad shape as you think. Big thing is we have $$$$. 2020 Price, E Rod, Wright, Mookie, JBJ, Beni, JD, Devers, Pedroia, Vaz, Smith, Barnes, Hembree, Maddox, Johnson and Velaz. Basically we have $71M committed. Wright, Mookie, JBJ in their last arbitration years. Say a payroll budget of $240M, we have $170M to cover arbitration players plus acquisitions. OF of Beni, JBJ and Betts should be one of the best. JD will be DH (we will give him a new contract before he gets away) We'll need a SS and 1B. Bottom line is we will always have enough money to field a competitive team. I'm just not as pessimistic as many of you. Obviously we can't be Pabloed with completely worthless production.

Thanks.....I completely forgot. He was one of three high pitching prospects for the Sox three or four years ago.

100% correct Also 1 I go back and forth but ultimately Sox did the right thing with Hanley. Several here always complain about fiscal responsibility yet they still complain when we shed $22M off of our payroll. Hanley's days were numbered when Sox signed both Moreland and JD Martinez. How about that albatross of $18M still on the books for Pablo in 2019? Those two contracts might be the worst singings consummated at the same time. 2 I'm a strong believer in knowing the bad news immediately. Through injuries and whatever, Swihart to me has never had a fair amount of opportunity. It's time to find out what his future is with the Sox. I wanted Moncada brought up sooner rather than later. I also wanted to see Devers in Sox uniform sooner than later. I'm convinced that after watching Moncada, DD decided Devers was just as good. Moncada and Kopech brought us Sale. 3 It's great to see Jalen Beeks get a spot start tomorrow. When was the last time Sox had a drafted rookie take the mound? It's freaking time to find out what some of these kids got. It may even save us $8M and $20M next year. 4. I was 100% behind singing of Moreland. Not because he's doing well. I had no idea how he would perform this year. But, at the very least, DD brought back the entire starting position players back for 2018. That's what good business owners do. Establish baseline. With that accomplished, DD was able to play chess or checkers with JD's agent. Agent was check mated at the end. Yeah DD probably overpaid for Moreland. So what? It was more important to have the starting lineup set, then go after JD to improve the team rather than holding your genital for a bargain that may never come. 5 I love this team and I love how the management is running the baseball operation. I also love the change in managers. This team needed a different voice.

You have a point.

Can we talk about more fun stuff? How are we going to sign Machado to $33M 12 year deal? Don't tell Kimmi. Trade always fading Xander $ 7.0 M (he's only got year left) Kiss Pom and his bicep good bye $ 8.5 M (replaced with Wright) Increase in cap $ 9.0 M Hanley's option dismissed $ 22.0 M Trade Porcello $ 20.6 M (He sucks every other year, get ahead of the curve)...Hector's ready to go. Total $ 66.1 M That's enough money to sign Machado, Kimbrel and pay arb raises. Chicks still dig long balls.