Hugh2

Juan Soto is the obvious exception because he's Juan Soto, but I don't think the Sox should be focused on positional players this offseason, although I would like to see an upgrade at the catcher position. It does make sense to check in on players, really everyone, because you never know how things may transpire. What if the Sox get an offer they really like for a pitcher that includes a package of Kristian Campbell OR Marcelo Mayer, I'm not saying they're shopping him around but if they were too then all of a sudden a guy like Willy Adames might be a lot more intriguing to them. It makes sense to check in on guys, even if they're not your priority. Because you should have your plan A, plan B, plan C and even plan D ready to roll. I don't think there's a very big chance they seriously go after Willy.

Even hiring Bloom was a false narrative. Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman away from TB and he's only the director of baseball operations for the biggest market team in the game. It's all on John Henry. Even then. Boston Payroll vs. Tampa Payroll in the post Mookie era. 2020: $185 million to $90 million 2021: $207 million to $90 million 2022: $236 million to $125 million 2023: $226 million to $132 million 2024: $223 million to $106 million Sox are not turning into Tampa North. I understand the frustration, I understand digging their hole so deep that they don't get one ounce of credit until they've actually invested in real high end talent and built a winner. I get that, I really do, and I'm not saying there's been in obvious shift in philosophy and how they spend their money in recent years but I will say this. Let us look at what they have said. They have said, that they would spend, they've always said that they would spend when they feel that they have a team to build around. Whether or not you like that philosophy that's what they've said and to be fair, they've had a crap team to be "building around" in recent years. For the first time in a decade they have a young team, a #1 farm system, and the payroll space to add talent. If they were going to keep their words then this would be the offseason that they would change gears and spend. Again, I get that it's "put up or shut up time" but if they do go out and add elite talent this offseason.....they've effectively done exactly what they've said they were going to do all this whole time. I would have felt a whole lot better about it if they were just honest with fans from the get go and said they were in rebuild mode. They went into rebuild mode and told everyone they were going to compete and that is understandably why the fan base is untrusting. I'm encouraged by this. On the last section 10 podcast it was either Jared Carrabis or Lou Merloni who was saying that in the past it was pretty much a guy going out to talk to a free agent, last year they would send Eddie Romero and thats' it. This year, they reportedly met with a high end player and sent the entire cavalry. And there are reports around the league that teams, executives, and agents expect the Sox to be big time players this offseason. Whether thats' ******** or not......we shall find out.

Stated is an interesting word seeing how the Sox have literally never said this.

When I started looking at the Mets spending I noticed that too. The crazy thing is, none of those contracts in a vacuum looked like a big overpay. It’s just the totality of their spending that is enormous. They will obviously be serious bidders, but this notion that they will just outbid anyone thru the moon is just theoretical at this point.

Well we just Pivetta so we gotta sign someone

I'm encouraged by the Soto pursuit, but that also doesn't mean I'm 100% convinced they get him. Remember, even if the Sox really do a 180 this offseason and decide that they're ready to invest into this ballclub again, they can STILL lose out to teams like NY/LA etc. If they're serious, I still expect a big offseason if they lose out on the Soto sweepstakes. Pitching should be the focus, and if Soto goes elsewhere it will still be the main focus. In the absence of Soto I have very little interest in position players aside from a catcher, this team really needs a catcher. Soto is the exception.....because he's f***ing Juan Soto. But with all that said, I can't blame one single poster for being pessimistic until something actually happens, given this ownerships actions the last 1/2 decade.

I mean tis the season for suspense and making people wait to know. At least we will know a few things after today.

It’s Anthony. You know that, I know you know that, you know I know that and you know that I know that you know that.

Yes, but that just goes to show you that you never know. People always say "trade away the right prospects who are over rated and keep the good ones" So simplistic from the sidelines. Like other teams don't have robust scouting departments. Just because you trade someone away doesn't mean you don't like them. Guys bust. If the Sox traded away all their prospects in the top ten, in ten years from now a few of the moves would look like clear winners and a few might look highly regrettable. Also, FWIW, Moncada busting is largely influenced by his inability to stay healthy. That's what killed his career more than anything. But that's part of the game, staying healthy.

That is and always will be the argument. I'm comfortable waiting until guys are in the higher minors before trading them. Imagine being the guy trading away Mookie Betts for a relief pitcher, or trading away Xander Bogaerts for a pinch runner. Sure, those guys move, but with less frequency. I think there's a good chance their value will increase a bit more even if they end up busts. I wouldn't touch guys like Arias/Bleis right now unless a team was really in love with them. E.G. CHW wants Arias or Bleis as the second piece (with Abreu) in a Crochett deal.

I'm not saying he's not a player or even we should be surprised if it's the Mets, but people act like it's a foregone conclusion. I don't think Soto to NY is as much of a slam dunk as you guys are making it out to be.

I don’t think being the richest guy in baseball means he can never be outbid. Its not like the guy has unlimited money and tells Boras “we’ll meet any offer and add 10%” into perpetuity. signing a lot of high priced free agents isn’t analogous with just ridiculously overpaying anyone.

I think Clay Holmes is in play, he checks all the boxes for what Breslow/Bailey like. I'm actually fine with it.......just get someone else for the 9th.

I'm not even sure he's very good trade bait. Not that I wouldn't trade him in the right deal but his value won't be very high until he's at least in AA. More than ever teams are trading for near ready prospects and not far away guys. I'm still excited for the 20 year old Miguel Bleis.

750 could be countered with appx $690

I don't think the Dodgers are in as much as people think they are. I think it's really down to NYY NYM and BOS. Boston actually has a tax advantage over the city. If NY gave Soto 650 million the Sox would only have to offer 600 million to counter. Soto also apparently wants to be "the man" wherever he signs, he will have that in Boston where's he will not have it in NY. If the Sox are serious about spending again, and they've eluded in the past that they would if they thought the could compete then they can sell that to Soto. It's probably why they pointed out their #1 farm system to him. He's going to be coming on board and playing with this young core, and if they add pitching to the equation Boston can jump right into a window of competitiveness. The A.L. isn't strong.........it's there if they want it.

I actually think Teel and Mayer might struggle more out of the gate than the other guys, and they probably stay in AAA until at least mid season. I can see Mayer hitting the ground running summer time, but I think he will struggle against LHP out the gate and that might depress his stats for a year or two. If he ever solves that puzzle I think his ceiling is as large as anyone else. Arias is the guy I'm questioning, it sounded like someone called Arias bat the real deal, but I think Larry was talking about Mayer.

All the reasons people don't want Soto are all the very same reasons I wouldn't want any position player free agent the last few years. Those are all great arguments. But Soto is different, I also don't believe you're signing a guy like Soto if you're frugal, if the Sox do make that kind of move it's a sign they're serious about competing again and likely hints they're going to be making other moves that will presumably strengthens the pitching on this team. Soto isn't a luxury, he's one of the best players in baseball and he's becoming a free agent in his mid 20's.....that almost never happens, it's rare. We complain every year about the Sox not shopping at the top of the market, I welcome a return to investing heavily in the team.......if that does come to fruition.

Rafaela is making $6.25 million a year. Not that I think that trade would ever happen but if it did Crochet is getting an extension, So you probably need to add at least $25-$30 million to your budget.

Whos bat is the real deal? Mayer

Saying you would trade a guy doesn't mean you don't like them

Story has 3/72 left, if he has one healthy season he's fully tradeable, and you probably get something in return that's decent as well. Mayer may not be ready quite yet and has his own injury concerns, I wouldn't look to trade Story this offseason.

Oh well that changes things, I missed that. Where did you see that?

Again, I don't think the Sox are signing both Vlad and Soto.....maybe someone else said that earlier and I missed it sorry about that. But I just don't see that happening. ADD. Also, teams are going to be bidding on VLAD as a 1B, not a DH, If we are signing VLad he's a 1B, and then yes we trade Casas. I don't think this effects MASA at all.

It's not a qualification. But you'd feel a whole lot better about signing a long term contract with a 25 year old over a 30 year old. Anyone of us would. So it's different.