5GoldGlovesOF,75

I like Buehler and see some parallels to Eovaldi -- a guy bouncing back from major surgery and surging in the most recent postseason. Both also beat the Yankees on the big stage. Walker also has a better track record, a two-time All-Star receiving Cy Young votes. He's only 30, so less of a chance to be a Kluber in Beantown. If the Sox extend him, fans can only hope he evolves like Eovaldi did into his mid-30s (especially winning another ring)...

Based on health at the end of last season less than two months ago, here's the starting rotation today: Crochet, Buehler, Houck, Bello, Crawford. Whatever the Red Sox get from others who have not yet returned from elbow procedures is a bonus.

BUEHLAH-LUJAH!!!! Some posters will just have to complain he was injured and might be again -- like a kajillion other pitchers... like all pitchers this decade this century. But now there can be no doubt that the rotation that lost Pivetta and added Crochet and Buehler is upgraded. So what if it's a one-year pillow contract -- if he has a good year and likes Boston, maybe he'll want to stay. Meanwhile, find a nice pillow contract on your couch or recliner and enjoy the holidays...

But only if confirmed by Jeff Passive Aggressive.

Further down, Gammons quoted other GM's praising Breslow's aggressiveness at the Winter Meetings. He called it a "willingness to embrace change." I can think of a few changes Red Sox fans would embrace today, with a week to go before NEXT YEAR. "Right now, Red Sox Nation," said one poster, "has an impressive willingness to embrace Adam's apples."

Ya, when it comes to the defensive side of big league catching, I'd rather be good than lucky. Maybe Wong can improve behind the plate. Right now it looks like the front office is counting (besides the money it's not spending) on a lot of players who are already in the system to improve...

Cross off two more starting pitchers: Manaea signs with Mets. Luzardo traded to Phils. Red Sox know if they wait long enough, they won't have to pay market prices for any more starters. OR TALENT. But the team will coalesce during the playoffs without question. There will be a party at Fulmer's house for Boston players to watch Game 1 of the ALDS on TV.

No doubt. But we all know that everything starts with the starts. How many years in a row has it been now that once Boston's shallow rotation broke down, the overuse of relievers led to more losses (notice there is no question mark -- it goes back to Matt Barnes, who was once an All-Star). Beyond all the IL starters the Red Sox seem to stock, another factor that saps the pen is starters who constantly struggle to even go five innings. This major flaw isn't just on the pitchers, but either the front office, the coaching staff or both -- they recruit these fragile guys and decide how best/worst to use them. Bottom line AGAIN: Improving the rotation improves the bullpen. INVEST IN TALENT. SPEND.

It's never too early when the free agents you want that you know would improve your club -- and you know you can afford -- are signing elsewhere, especially with rivals. I see -- and hear -- "lapping" when my rescue dogs reach up to the table and devour whatever food is left (this only happens when people turn their heads -- kinda like Boston execs in the offseason). Brez needs more ravenous dawgs from the front office at winter meetings.

Oh. My. G-- quick! Send this to the front office! They probably have no idea... but we know Brez is all about balance, so someone better tell him Corbin Burnes is a righty!!!!!

CBT: Chronic Bull Talkers

I'll never ever believe that Giolito was a healthy horse when signed by Boston. He went from being an All-Star starter who earned Cy Young votes for three straight seasons to a guy who suddenly had a borderline 5 ERA for three different clubs, all who gave up on him in his twenties. Put it this way: a stud professional pitcher who was that good in his mid-20s doesn't all of a sudden forget how to pitch when he hits his still-under 30 prime.

Sasaki to the Red Sox will be gaining momentum now. Roki was just waiting for Sandoval to sign, to see how much money a pitcher can soak Boston for, when he's rehabbing from inevitable Tommy John surgery.

Yup -- ha ha, those suckers; if they don't stop themselves, they're going to have to play ball in the cold of November, when the Red Sox players are all lounging on vacation beaches.

Derek Lowe. Don't worry, with this Sandoval signing, it's very possible there will soon be a flurry of moves in Boston (nothing that actually accumulates, just flurries). Breslow's phone has been flashing in his pants like a pocket full of fireflies (accompanied by a group of Assistant VPs in an offkey cover: "We built the wall, we built the pyramids!" The calls are from agents for post-op pitchers booked for the next six months with physical therapists, massage tables and personal trainers -- who were all just waiting for Sandoval to set the market for damaged goods.

You can bet your sweet ebay there's a Red Sox front officer or three with a hotline alert that tases them through their phones whenever an MLB player is DFAed or put on waivers. They probably even have similar apps for all levels of the minors when kids get sent home. (I have one when my ceramic beer mug is almost empty, but it's not AI; it's MyEyes)

Trade him now while he's at peak value, then sign him on a rehab contract after he gets hurt. Even if he doesn't make a comeback, the Riddlers in the front office will chalk up the expense as a win-loss leader -- the price they'd gladly pay for talent in the Crawford exchange: new young player + WAR = Crawford draft bonus + minimum wages + "later bonus" to rehab instead of pitching - HRs allowed in non-existent second stint.

Hi, this is Craig -- did someone say DISCOUNT? Sign me up! (... just don't spend any money signing me). And I'd like an opt-out, in case we win. So I can go to another forum where posters are warmer.

It is uncanny how the Red Sox continue to blow money on players that blow their chances at filling holes on rosters that are never fully ready to compete for division titles (not to mention go deep into postseasons without question). What good is it to prepare for the essay question at the end of the test if they skip the fill-in-the-blanks, and just guess at the multiple choice?

It's perfect that he'll be able to rest his arm for the entire first half of the season, while a rotation as deep as his ankles in low tide burns out another undermanned bullpen. Then he'll come back from major surgery better than ever without question and throw perfect games into November.

The past few hours -- after been focused more on Red Stripe than Red Sox -- I realize I need to apologize to the board for my emotionally enlarged upper case fonts. And to Breslow and Kennedy, who are doing the best they can working for an owner who is obviously no longer all-in for the fans of Red Sox Nation. So: gotta credit guys like Bloom and Brez, who are too smart not to know what was in store for them as CBOs... the rehabbing bin pitchers may suck, but not always, and Bloom and Brez probably enjoy doing thousand-piece Red Sox puzzles every winter, even knowing there are always going to be four or five pieces lost in couch cushions or under rugs forever (or until they move to new cities). Sammy -- it may eat you up inside to have to constantly lie, but we do realize that all presidents lie (some all the time). And if we're being honest, most of us typists would probably do it, too, and not turn down the job if offered... not so much for the salary, but just for the free tix and special seats every night. Go, Red Stripe!

How can anyone criticize this offseason, after Sam Kennedy assured all: "There is an extreme urgency for a deep postseason run in 2025 without question. EVEN IF IT TAKES US OVER THE CBT." Sandoval may have a broken wing, but there is so much urgency that this signing had to be for 2025 without question. The president told us so. It may be tempting to ask Kennedy to please remove his size Sam from his big mouth (because in Boston, CBT stands for Closed Budget Today). But Red Sox free agent signings this entire decade are from a special sign language to fans... ... the sign of holding up one finger (it doesn't mean We're #1).

Plan G (this year's Giolito) -- except he's already rehabbed goods. If it ain't broke, don't Red Sox it.

No one knows if Patrick will be any good when/if he comes back from Tommy John this season, but my favorite part of this contract is that the Red Sox will be paying him over twice as much in 2026, no matter what.

He'll be better than Sam Kennedy will be at the trade deadline, when Sam explains why they didn't recruit any actual talent for another stretch run (when they stretch out on lounge chairs to watch the playoffs).