Hugh2

A strong word, I was replying to a poster. But you know how it goes in here. It’s like one giant game of telephone down a rabbit hole.

What I was trying to do was dispel the myth that the Sox were unwilling to pay Bogaerts more than Story. In the end he just got a sweet ass deal from San Diego

Didn’t Xander already sign an extension?

If I remember correctly, didn’t Bogey say he would have accepted the Story contract? Which was less than 162/6? Was Xander lying?

Their final offer to Bogaerts was more than what they paid Story.

Yes, so like I’ve been saying. There a difference between not spending and then spending poorly. The Sox investments into pitching the past decade have been disastrous

2024 payroll is going to be closer to 230 million.

Payroll is almost dead even. They are spending only a few million more on hitting than pitching.

Best guess? If they chose to not go over the Lu out tax? $227 million dollars opening day. Who they spend it on? No ideal, but they have very little to no real needs on offense where guys like Marcelo Mayer/Kristian Campbell/Trevor Story/Roman Anthony can’t and won’t fill; they ain’t going out and spending 9 figures on William Adames. Maybe they get an O’Neill type, a bench bat, lock up a guy and get a couple middling pitchers. But it would be the perfect time to go big in the pitching market

Neither do I, but it ain’t going to be 160 million. Even with those “last place finishes and no playoff berths” the Sox spent over 200 million while going over the luxury tax one of those years. You might not like it, it might end up being s***** investments, but they’re going to spend the money somewhere. They always do.

If you add it up, they've spent about 2-3 million more on hitting than pitching. They spend, they just don't go after the top of the market, they'd rather pay 3 guys 13 million than sign a guy like Judge for 40 million. Henry isn't cheap, his moves and philosophy of spreading the money instead of taking swings at big talent (like maybe keeping Betts) has backfired badly in his face. We've been here before, back in 2015 the Sox let go of Lester, piece mailed together a rotation and the narrative was they would never set the market again, the days of long term contracts were dead. They proceeded to go out and sign middling contracts. They finalized their rotation on the cheap by signing Justin Masterson, Signed Hanley Ramirez to an 4 year 88 million dollar contract, and Pablo Sandoval to a 5 year 90 million dollar contract. Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, and James shields were the top of the market that year and the Sox didn't even sniff. Thats what we all said back then "the sox would never spend big on pitching EVER again" It's only right that it's ten years later. They could switch direction again....there's literally precedent for it and sitting 80 million under the cap and a position roster that's practically set theres literally nowhere else to park their money. As I did ten years ago, I'm once again predicting they surprise everyone and go big this year. To be fair, I thought they would do that last offseason too.

How much will you sell it to me for if they actually are buyers? Would you like to go on record now saying the Sox are going to roll out a $180 million dollar payroll?

What about hitting costs? does Henry refuses to part with money there too?

So Sale was healthy and not injury plagued seemingly year after year for the last 4 years? I would love to have him back here, but the fact of the matter is if he was a free agent this past offseason he'd fit that exact description.

Didn't this describe Sale perfectly until this year???

He's the next Babe Ruth.

Mariners need bats. BTV accepts Mayer/Abreu for Kirby. Seattle should do this.

I'll just keep it there until I'm right and claim victory!!!

Burnes Beiber Houck Giolito Bello Crawford/5th swing by the end of next year. You could probably swing that and stay under the luxury tax if you wanted......if you wanted.

Yup, forgots about him.

Walker Buehler and Shane Bieber have to be on the Sox radar. Formerly aces, coming off of an injury, will probably sign a 1-2 year deal to rebuild value. That feels more John Henry's taste than Burnes. But if I was crowned Empreror of Boston I'd sign one of those guys and Burnes. Burnes Houck Bello Crawford Criswell/Fitts/Preister/someone else. With Beiber coming back mid season. I'm sure this won't happen. Sox seemingly don't have to spend a dime on position players, they have roughly $62.00 million to spend before going over the cap. This is the part where I'm supposed to say they will spend big on pitching because not only is there a need but there's seemingly nowhere else to put the money. But no one seems better than spending their money and making it look like they didn't spend any money than John Henry. A bench bat, a bullpen arm, a fringey starting pitcher, an extension and a reclamation project all adding up to 40-50 million dollars.

I'm sure I have one of the biggest potty mouths on here, but if the rule was no swearing I'd happily abide.

Mariners need hitting. Sox need pitching. Seems like a match up to me.

That package gets you one of those guys, not 2. I also don't think Jansen will be resigned. I know BTV isn't everything, but it has a total value of 175 going to Boston vs. 72 to Seattle. That's very lopsided. EDIT: just re-read your post and you said OR!!!!!! Kirby. ......my bad.

Not going to post it all, but we're effectively in the 18-20th range on a lot of things. What I find interesting is the xFIP where we are 9th. The pitching isn't great, but two things have made it worse. Homeruns, and bad defense. That's what has killed the pitching staff.