BillyWilliams

But I thought sox fans don't consider Wild Card games and tie breakers to be "playoff games"?

He wrote an article detailing why he felt that way and he did mention the lefty vs righty aspect among other things. While I agree the Yanks could use some lefty balance, I think the need for a SS outweighs the need for a lefty bat, especially considering how many OF's are on the roster.

Delusional..... Just for starters, on what planet exactly is eovaldi or erod better than Happ?!! Heck, even CC had a better ERA and WAR than eovaldi. And as it stands right now, now way is devers a better hitter than Torres and Andujar.

I also hope #9 comes true, would be pretty cool for Ichiro, he deserves it.

Price at which Manny Machado would be worth risk to Yankees By Ken Davidoff January 7, 2019 | 8:46pm Look over there: a gorgeous mansion for sale. The price is sky-high, though, and a layman’s inspection reveals major concerns about the foundation. The house could bring unprecedented joy … or it could turn into a life-draining albatross. But what if the homeowners are so hell-bent on giving the house to you — you possess a pristine reputation, after all — that they’re willing to slash the price virtually in half? Then you’d have to seriously consider signing Manny Machado, wouldn’t you? Sorry, maybe that analogy could have used a more visible bridge. In any case, if the Yankees can convince the pinstripe-loving Machado to join them at a bargain rate — for under $200 million, to be precise — then the 26-year-old would be worth the risk that his Johnny Hustle act won’t play in the Bronx. A five-year, $180 million deal? Even those residing in the “Yankees shouldn’t sign Machado” camp — I’ve been receiving my mail there since late October — should be amenable to such a pact. On Monday morning, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote, on Twitter, “The Yankees are either playing it coy, trying to gauge the [Miguel] Andujar trade market, or simply have no intention of offering Manny Machado a $200 million-plus contract. The Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies remain the most aggressive teams for the prized infielder.” First of all, the Yankees have not made Machado a concrete offer, according to an industry source; they are not far along in discussions with Machado’s agent Dan Lozano to have reached that stage. Furthermore, indications do exist the Yankees, who got massively outbid by the Nationals for the services of Patrick Corbin, a considerably better fit for their 2019 roster than Machado, are playing it very cool in these Machado discussions. Perhaps, indeed, “Less than $200 million” cool. That’s quite a distance from the 10-year, $350 million package that served as a goal for both Machado and his fellow 26-year-old free agent Bryce Harper. A similar or even slightly higher annual average value than that $35 million shouldn’t deter the Yankees, who successfully went under the luxury-tax threshold in 2018, thereby resetting their tax rate from 50 percent to a far more palatable 20 percent. It’s all about the years. True, five years doesn’t quite represent a summer fling; the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett to a five-year contract back in the 2008-09 offseason, you might recall, and the relationship lasted only three years before they got sick of each other and divorced. However, when you run the cost-benefit analysis, the potential primary benefit (Machado produces at the elite level that he has displayed for the majority of his career) outweighs the potential primary cost (unlike Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Alex Rodriguez, Machado doesn’t embrace his role of polarizing Yankee and becomes miserable and hated). Let’s face it: Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop during Didi Gregorius’ injury absence doesn’t inspire much confidence, right? Machado at short and Andujar at third on Opening Day sounds pretty good. Even better? The Yankees should give Machado an opt-out after 2019. Let him put up a spectacular campaign while privately loathing the scrutiny that comes with being a Yankee. Let Gregorius return from Tommy John surgery a good as ever and sign a long-term extension. Let Andujar — whom the Yankees aren’t seriously shopping, according to an executive from another club — shuttle between third base and first base while swinging that sweet bat. Let Machado go elsewhere for his $350 million, one year delayed. Would Machado actually go for this? Or would his pride understandably steer him toward Philly or Chicago’s South Side? The Yankees, operating from a position of strength, might be determined to learn the answer to this very question. If the answer from Machado becomes, “Yes, I want to be a Yankee this badly,” then the Yankees should present the same package to Harper, the better fit. After Harper rejects it, then it would be time for the Machado plunge. It could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. And if it isn’t? It would be over soon enough, anyway. https://nypost.com/2019/01/07/price-at-which-manny-machado-would-be-worth-risk-to-yankees/ I'm not sure I agree with him that Harper is the better fit ........

So basically everyone but pedroia is going to either be the same or better?

That was my point to begin with, that it was an article that could create some baseball dialogue/debate during a pretty slow off season. Seems like lvp 78 just can't handle it so he starts with personal attacks, sorry that I responded in kind. The padres are an interesting team with a lot of young talent. Should they add a pitcher or 2 they might be within shouting distance of .500. But it will take alot more for them to contend in that division.

Right, because one of the top relievers on the market only had poor offers or none aside from the Yanks..........

Please keep your sexual fantasies to yourself, this is a baseball site........

From what I read there were many teams interested in him. And why wouldn't they be, when healthy the guy is pretty damn good.

As you do mine........

I'm not saying he does, just that the Yanks might be willing to go even a little higher. And Britton did choose to set up in NY rather than close elsewhere, so you never know. From what I have read, signing Ottavino would not impede signing Machado.

No, you will whine because you are just like a little schoolgirl........... Whah! He posted something that doesn't say the red sox are the greatest team evah! Whah! Like I said, little schoolgirl.

The Yanks are said to be hot on Ottavino. My guess is they would jump all over him at 2/24

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25683672/baseball-black-holes-worst-team-every-position

So you will continue to whine like a little school girl? Knock yourself out .........

There's no way in hell kimbrel signs for 2/24. What are you smoking?!

Weird blogs? It was on the front page of MLB.com. Seriously, go find something else to complain about ........

I figured it was good fodder for debate, if you don't like it then read something else.......

Red Sox-Yankees rivalry extends to offseason 01:09 Jan. 3rd, 2019 By Richard Justice MLB.com @RichardJustice Your move, Red Sox. You're on the clock. All of a sudden, a six-year deal for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel doesn't seem so outrageous, does it? That's especially true when you've just watched the Yankees construct baseball's best bullpen with a deal to bring back left-hander Zach Britton. If the Red Sox planned to wait out the relief market and hope a front-line guy fell through the cracks, that's not happening. Andrew Miller, Joe Kelly, David Robertson and now Britton are off the market, leaving two unsigned arms among the top tier: Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino. Wait, what's that? Yankees general manager Brian Cashman may sign Ottavino as well? Reports indicate that's a possibility. Like the others at the back of the Yankees' bullpen, Ottavino's game is power: a 94-mph fastball and a knee-bending slider. He appeared in 75 games for the Rockies last season, averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings and less than one baserunner per inning. Even without Ottavino, here's what could happen when Yankees manager Aaron Boone gets five innings from a starting pitcher. He would then have Chad Green, Dellin Betances, Britton and Aroldis Chapman lined up for the final four frames. If you're working on your American League East power rankings, good luck. As ridiculously good as the Red Sox (108 wins) and Yankees (100 wins) were in 2018, prepare for more craziness. Now, about the Red Sox. In re-signing first baseman Steve Pearce and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, they accomplished almost everything on their to-do list. Now, about a closer. Just like last season's deliberate negotiations with free agent J.D. Martinez, the Red Sox and Kimbrel are an obvious fit. Boston has a pair of hard throwers -- Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier -- with closer-type stuff on their roster. But the two of them have two total career saves (both by Barnes), and the AL East -- and a chance to win back-to-back World Series -- is not for experimenting. Kimbrel, 30, is five months younger than Britton, so it'll be interesting to see how similar the two contracts are. Britton's deal could run anywhere from $26 million over two years to $53 million over four years. Kimbrel has been healthier than Britton the past two seasons, but in terms of stuff and performance, they're very close. Kimbrel's case for getting a fifth or sixth season is simply supply and demand. Oh, and Manny Machado. He figures into this as well. Are the Yankees the new AL East favorite? Probably not. The Red Sox still have a better offense and a better rotation. But the Yankees have gained some ground. And the Yanks would gain even more if Cashman wins the Machado sweepstakes. To add him to a lineup that hit 40 more home runs than any other AL club last season could set up one of the great division races we've ever had. He'd be nice leverage for Kimbrel in his talks with the Red Sox. Regardless, Cashman has had a great offseason by acquiring left-hander James Paxton and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, and re-signing J.A. Happ and Britton. This sport is better and more interesting when the Yankees and Red Sox are both good. They were both way better than good last season, and are on their way to being even better in 2019. Both teams would like to put impact finishing touches on their offseasons. These could be what decides things. Red Sox, Yankees poised for strong 2019 WWW.MLB.COM Your move, Red Sox. You're on the clock. All of a sudden, a six-year deal for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel doesn't seem so outrageous, does it? That's especially true when you've just watched the Yankees construct baseball's best bullpen with a deal to bring back left-hander Zach Britton.If the Red

19 bold predictions for MLB in 2019 01:39 Dec. 31st, 2018 By Anthony Castrovince MLB.com @castrovince When the New Year arrives, we aim to be more dedicated, more disciplined versions of our natural selves. We vow to bring something good and useful and meaningful to the world. And yet, for all the "New Year, new you" resolve in the air right now, some of us still just can't help ourselves: We like to make bad baseball predictions. Here are 19 of them for '19 (and I of course reserve the right to update these to even worse predictions once the offseason dust settles). 1. The Red Sox will barely make the playoffs Boston is far too talented and the American League has too many suspect squads for me to pick against the Sox reaching the postseason at all. But it will be via the second AL Wild Card spot, and the defending champs will not get back to the World Series. Why, you ask? Because of Chris Sale's left shoulder? Nathan Eovaldi's October workload? Some kind of statistical setback for Mookie Betts and/or J.D. Martinez? Nah. I just don't think your fans can break the World Series trophy with an errant beer can without some sort of penalty from the baseball gods. 2. Bryce Harper will sign with the Cardinals At this point, my head still says that Harper will wind up with the Phillies or the White Sox. But this is the prediction I made at the start of the Hot Stove season, and, darn it, I'm going down with the ship, with all the accumulated evidence sinking me fast. I do maintain that the Cardinals have the resources to pull it off and need to veer from an established organizational course of short-term solutions and half-measures. Paul Goldschmidt was a great get, but only for one year (and he's 31). Harper would take this club from borderline National League Central contender to clear World Series-caliber squad. 3. The Astros will trade for J.T. Realmuto And Kyle Tucker? Despite the reports about the Astros balking at the Marlins' current asking price, you're going to look good in Miami blue and caliente red, bud. Speaking of the 'Stros… 4. Carlos Correa will win the AL Most Valuable Player Award over Mike Trout Steamer is projecting Trout to be worth 9.3 Wins Above Replacement this year. I know to some of you that sentence might as well have come from a medical dictionary, but what that means is that a cold and utterly rational projection system is pegging Trout to have roughly one of the top 100 individual position player seasons of all-time. That's how ridiculous this has gotten. Greatness from Trout is simply expected. So picking against Trout is also ridiculous. But it's still hard to be sold on the Angels, overall, and voters notoriously (and wrongly) hold team standing against Trout. Every year, there's some other guy who has an insane season (in 2018, it was Betts) that challenges Trout's MVP bid, and this year it will be the full-on Correa explosion, thanks to better health and a stronger (and healthier) supporting lineup cast. 5. Manny Machado will sign in the next 10 days And he will sign with the Yankees. Not all predictions have to be bold predictions, folks. 6. Madison Bumgarner will become an Atlanta Brave It won't happen prior to the start of the 2019 season, but Bumgarner will build up just enough trade value to be viewed as a viable upgrade to the Braves' rotation in the midst of the NL East race this summer. 7. Jacob deGrom will win 20 games Let's just say he's due. 8. The Nationals will win the NL East What would have been a bland prediction a year ago becomes a bit of a bold one now, with Harper, in all likelihood, leaving and the Nats coming off one of the more disastrous seasons by a clear contender in recent memory. The NL East is setting up to be the baseball equivalent of the "Anchorman" news team fight, but the Nats -- buoyed by a strong rotation, the second season of the Juan Soto experience and an NL Rookie of the Year Award bid from Victor Robles -- will be the rare team that loses a star (perhaps even to a division foe in Philly) and somehow gets better. Or, you know, they'll re-sign Harper and everybody will pick them. Either way. 9. Ichiro Suzuki will hit a home run in the season-opening Japan Series And No. 118 will push him past Ty Cobb and tie him with Wade Boggs as he wraps up an incredible, indelible career. 10. Somebody other than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will win the AL Rookie of the Year Award This prediction is not a knock on Guerrero himself, as I see no reason why the No. 1 prospect in the game won't have a strong transition to the Major League level in 2019. This is just about swimming against the stream of what I'm sure will be darn near unanimous assumption that Guerrero will win the AL's rookie prize. I'm predicting strong showings from White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez and Astros starter Josh James that push Vlad Jr. in the rookie race. 11. There will be a three-man BBWAA Hall of Fame class Mariano Rivera is a lock, Roy Halladay is not a lock but is not far off and the voters will have done the right thing in getting Edgar Martinez over that final hump. But I see the 2019 vote as coming agonizingly short of the 75-percent threshold for Mike Mussina, who pitched his entire 18-season career in the brutal AL East in the 1990s and 2000s and came out with a better career ERA+ than Bob Feller. We'll see you in 2020, Moose, alongside your former teammate, Derek Jeter. 12. The Rays will win the AL's top Wild Card spot Not only will Yandy Diaz turn all that exit velocity into dingers, but Tampa Bay will have something that resembles an actual starting rotation. 13. A team other than the Rays will lead the Majors in "starts by a reliever" I've got my eye on the A's, for whom MC Hammer is currently penciled in as the No. 3 starter. (Please, Hammer, don't hurt 'em.) 14. The Guardians will not trade Trevor Bauer or Corey Kluber And Bauer will win the AL Cy Young Award, thanks in part to his invention of a new form of breaking ball that strikes batters out and then talks trash about them on Twitter. 15. The Padres will be this year's "Wait, how are they this good?" team They won't make the postseason, but San Diego will be one of those teams that cause you to look up at the standings in late July and go, "Huh?" The Padres will beef up their win total a bit against the rebuilding Giants and D-backs, get some nice contributions from Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Urias and Francisco Mejia, see a little bit of a bounce back from Eric Hosmer and, like the 2018 Rays, try some unusual mixing and matching with their pitching staff. 16. Rhys Hoskins will win the Home Run Derby This is the best guess I can muster this early, and only because Hoskins was so certain about wanting to do the event again after competing in last year's Derby. Also, the All-Star Game is Cleveland, where the airport is named Hopkins, so there's probably good wordplay to be had if Hoskins hits a bunch of fly balls. (Although I'm not ruling out Trevor Story winning it and inspiring "Cleveland Rox" headlines.) 17. The Cubs will win the NL pennant Another one of those that wouldn't have been very bold a year ago, but now? The rotation looks old and iffy, Kris Bryant's coming off a right shoulder injury, the bullpen is a big question (particularly with Brandon Morrow on the shelf) and Joe Maddon is a lame duck. Fear not, North Siders. While you are going to lose the NL Central to Bryce Harper's Cardinals, you're going to advance in October on the heels of Bryant's return to MVP-caliber form and the Darvish Redemption Tour. Darvish's story will have shades of the 2018 David Price saga, and, as an added bonus, we'll get to say this World Series is sponsored by "YuTube." Alas… 18. The Yankees will win the World Series Those of us who grew up in baseball's smaller markets (or Boston) and have a natural aversion to the Yankees' stockpiling Series titles have had a pretty good run, haven't we? The Yankees have won just won championship this millennium (yes, calendrical experts will tell you the millennium began in 2001, not '00, so don't tweet me about this). By Yankee standards, that's an abyss. But look, our luck is going to run out eventually. Since their 1919 acquisition of Babe Ruth, the Yankees have not gone a decade without a World Series appearance. The odds are against us, folks. I envision a 2019 with a more comfortable Giancarlo Stanton, a healthier Aaron Judge, a better rotation and the Yankees getting it done, with or without (likely with) Machado. 19. I will go back and read this column on Dec. 31, 2019, and cringe This one I feel good about. Happy New Year, everybody! Predictions for 2019 MLB season WWW.MLB.COM When the New Year arrives, we aim to be more dedicated, more disciplined versions of our natural selves. We vow to bring something good and useful and meaningful to the world.And yet, for all the "New Year, new you" resolve in the air right now, some of us still just

Harper and Machado are this year's marquee free agents; who are headliners for 2020 and beyond? 06:24 Jan. 4th, 2019 By David Adler MLB.com @_dadler Yes, we know Bryce Harper and Manny Machado haven't even signed yet. We know the 2019 season is still a few months away. But teams are always also looking at the future, so we are, too. Harper and Machado might be two of the most heralded players to hit the open market in recent memory -- but there are going to be plenty of marquee stars reaching free agency in the coming offseasons, too. MLB.com is previewing the free-agent classes for 2020 and beyond. Teams have plenty to look forward to. Here's a look at the notable players at each position who are set to become free agents over the next several years. Notable free agents for 2019-20 Catcher: Francisco Cervelli First base: Paul Goldschmidt, Jose Abreu Second base: Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Schoop Third base: Nolan Arenado, Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Didi Gregorius Outfield: Marcell Ozuna, Nicholas Castellanos, Yasiel Puig, Aaron Hicks, Adam Eaton DH: Khris Davis, J.D. Martinez (opt-out) Starting pitchers: Chris Sale, Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner, Justin Verlander, Zack Wheeler, Stephen Strasburg (opt-out) Relievers: Dellin Betances, Arodys Vizcaino, Ryan Pressly The headliner of next year's free-agent class will likely be Arenado, unless the Rockies can lock him up with an extension before then. The third baseman is a perennial MVP candidate, a superstar with both the bat and the glove, and he'll be smack in the middle of his prime when he hits free agency -- 2020 will be his age-29 season. Right alongside Arenado is Goldschmidt, who's a perennial MVP candidate himself, although the newly traded Cardinals first baseman will be entering his age-32 season in 2020. The starting-pitching market will also be much stronger than this year's, when Patrick Corbin was the No. 1 starter available. There will be multiple ace-level free-agents next offseason, with Sale and Cole likely to command the highest price tags -- Sale will be 31 in 2020, and Cole will be 30. If Bumgarner can have a bounceback season this year, he could be in demand too, and if Verlander continues his dominance with the Astros he'll likely be an attractive option for a contender, even entering his age-37 season. Two wild cards of the 2019-20 free-agent class could be Martinez and Strasburg, who can opt out of their contracts with the Red Sox and Nationals, respectively, starting next offseason, although it's very possible neither one will. Notable free agents for 2020-21 Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Mike Zunino, Yadier Molina First base: Matt Carpenter, C.J. Cron, Yuli Gurriel, Ryan Zimmerman Second base: Starlin Castro, Jason Kipnis, Cesar Hernandez Third base: Justin Turner, Zack Cozart, Jake Lamb Shortstop: Andrelton Simmons, Jonathan Villar, Marcus Semien, Jurickson Profar Outfield: Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, George Springer, Yoenis Cespedes, David Peralta, Michael Brantley, Joc Pederson, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jay Bruce, Giancarlo Stanton (opt-out) DH: Edwin Encarnacion Starting pitchers: Jacob deGrom, Trevor Bauer, Robbie Ray, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Jake Arrieta, Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana Relievers: Blake Treinen, Sean Doolittle, Jeremy Jeffress, Alex Colome, Brandon Morrow Trout and Betts? That MVP duo could outdo even Harper and Machado if they hit the open market together in the 2020-21 offseason, as scheduled. Trout and Betts would both still be in their 20s when reaching free agency, too -- Trout would be entering his age-29 season in 2021, and Betts would be entering his age-28 season. They could be in line for some historic free-agent contracts. There could also be a pair of headlining names at premium positions -- Realmuto at catcher and Simmons at shortstop. Realmuto is one of the few all-around star catchers in the Majors. The same factors that make him such a strong trade chip for the Marlins right now could put him in line for a nice free-agent payday entering his age-30 season in 2021. Simmons, meanwhile, is widely considered the best defensive shortstop in the sport, and he's become an above-average hitter over the last couple of years, garnering some MVP votes. He'll only be 31 in 2021. And the starting-pitching class could be a deep one for a second year in a row. Last year's National League Cy Young winner, deGrom looks like the headliner as of now, but Bauer, Ray and Paxton are also frontline starters. Add in established veterans like Tanaka, Arrieta and Hendricks, and teams looking to bolster their 2021 pitching staffs should have a stable of strong arms to choose from. Notable free agents for 2021-22 Catcher: Salvador Perez, Wilson Ramos, Yan Gomes First base: Freddie Freeman, Anthony Rizzo, Brandon Belt Second base: Javier Baez, Kolten Wong, Dee Gordon Third base: Kris Bryant, Eduardo Escobar, Travis Shaw, Miguel Sano Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Trevor Story Outfield: Michael Conforto, Tommy Pham, Starling Marte, Kyle Schwarber, Byron Buxton Starting pitchers: Aaron Nola, Noah Syndergaard, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Max Scherzer, Zack Greinke Chris Archer, Mike Foltynewicz Relievers: Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Brad Hand, Jeurys Familia, Corey Knebel, Archie Bradley, Raisel Iglesias, Roberto Osuna If all the players in line for free agency in the 2021-22 offseason actually reached the open market, it might be one of the best classes ever. Start with the shortstops … wow. Lindor, Correa and Seager are three of the brightest young stars in the game today, and Story emerged along with them in 2018. All four of them would be free agents in their primes -- Correa will be 27 in 2022, Lindor and Seager 28, Story 29. The starting pitchers … wow again. Nola is coming off a breakout season in which he was a Cy Young finalist, and Syndergaard has some of the most overpowering stuff in the game. Both will be entering their age-29 season in 2022. In the same class could be some of the greatest starting pitchers of the generation -- the three-time Cy Young winners Kershaw and Scherzer, and the two-time winner Kluber, although they'll be getting older by the time they're free agents. On top of all that, there's the superstar trio of Cubs that could become free agents all at once -- Bryant, Rizzo and Baez. There's the Braves' Freeman, who's been one of the top first basemen in the NL for years. And there's a deep group of relievers, including elite closers Chapman and Jansen, plus other back-end bullpen arms like Hand, Familia and so on. Potential free agents for 2022-23 and 2023-24 If you really want to go down the line, here are some of the star players who could become free agents following the 2022 and '23 seasons. 2022-23: Aaron Judge, Christian Yelich, Alex Bregman, Trea Turner, Gary Sanchez, Blake Snell, Edwin Diaz This group includes the Yankees' Baby Bombers, Judge and Sanchez, who have the potential to have become the anchors of a perennial contender by the time they enter free agency. It also includes some of the breakout stars of 2018 -- the NL MVP Yelich (if the Brewers pick up his club option for 2022), and the AL MVP candidate Bregman, Cy Young winner Snell and Reliever of the Year Diaz. 2023-24: Jose Ramirez, Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, Rhys Hoskins, Walker Buehler, Josh Hader The Guardians locked up Ramirez on a team-friendly deal a few years ago, and it paid off when he blossomed into an MVP candidate. That contract puts him on track for free agency after 2023, assuming Cleveland picks up his pair of contract options. He could be joined by the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year Bellinger, the emerging two-way star third baseman Chapman and more. Baseball's next free agent classes WWW.MLB.COM Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman and Jordan Montgomery were among the top stars who reached free agency after the 2023 World Series. But what about upcoming free-agent classes? Here's a look at the notable players who are set to become free agents in 2024-25 and beyond.

Yeah, god forbid a GM tries to mislead his competition ............

Note: He actually never stated that, Cashman was the one who said that Robertson told him that.

True fact: You're a dickhead