5GoldGlovesOF,75

Great question. JBJ said a big factor deciding where to go will be responsibility to his family. Maybe it all comes down to climate: meteorological, economical, and/or political...

I didn't say JBJ will ultimately refuse to settle for a cut, but nobody is going to play his career looking forward to free agency, and then open the bidding on himself at half price, either.

There's no defending the racist history of the Red Sox, and its effect on the franchise rep and certainly the standings -- the Bambino curse literally fails in comparison to turning down both Robinson and Mays within five years (imagine those two hitting in front of Williams). But there are many documented factors why the percentage of African Americans from the United States in the entire MLB peaked in the mid-70s and has decreased ever since. Other factors have seen a steady increase in Spanish-speaking players from the North and South American continents in pro baseball, though some of these men still report encountering problems because of both their skin color and language barrier. As for the Sox, we all saw the BLM banners inside and outside Fenway... we'll just have to trust that if they do choose to re-sign JBJ, it's because they value Jackie the man and Jackie the player, and not Jackie the minority.

Maybe not. But there is also no way a guy making 11M is hitting free agency and offering his services for less...

I think JBJ is more highly-regarded in the industry than the Nation. He's not taking a 50% pay cut to stay in Boston, unless the entire market collapses. I expect Bradley expects at least a two- or three-year deal at his going rate: 3 for $30, 2 for $20... Someone will at least offer him 2 for $16.

Agreed. Houston just re-upped Gurriel for one-year, 7 Mil. In a way, the Stros just established a reasonable pay scale benchmark for an above-average hitter. Sure, Yuli is 36, but a year ago he had 31 HRs, 104 RBI, .884 OPS. He slumped this summer, but his low K-rate shows he can still swing the bat.

Seager's value may be lower because he sang "Beautiful Loser" (even if it's immortalized on "Live Bullet", one of the rock'n'ist live LPs of the 1970s).

I just think Red Sox fans should be prepared and not be surprised if favorite players are included in offseason trades. According to recent columnists, there are very few Red Sox fans left anyway, and certainly no more beloved players...

It's no cheap shot when the mouth you're mitt-stuffing just challenged you to do it; watch the video again.

I'm on record predicing Bloom will be swinging the machete all winter -- lopping off any "dead" branches from the Dombrowski/Cora family tree. Of course, part of the excavating better begin with the detritus he littered the franchise with this summer. I'm still in shock he waived CJ Cron after a 30 homer season at age 28. I mean, Cron was no Big Papi, but he wasn't even worth a Lotto Pick-6?

So there's a 40 percent chance it's either another World Series champion or a last place team.

It almost looks like you left out an initial for Baseball Trade OPENER Values... Bloom could deal Beni or wait until all those guys are cut, and then just sign them to minor league contracts.

Speaking of free agents, here's one who never was... MLB.com just ranked the top 50 players of 2020's (pre)postseason, and Number One is -- Mookie Betts! Ahead of Bieber, Bauer, Cole, Darvish and Kershaw? And imagine, all the posters here who insisted all summer that Mookie couldn't pitch...

This reminds me of two pitchers who had styrofoam cups of coffee in the early 70s: Eddie Bane and Dick Baney. You know the first one's wife, when particularly perturbed, could always refer to him as "the Eddie of my existence..." But what did the dismissive missus of poor Dick Baney call him when she got annoyed?

And yet, my wife always takes offense whenever she hears someone reference a female as a chick.

I also thought about that... unless -- it turns out there was a prearranged "firing"/"place-holder"/"rehiring"/"everybody-gets-their-old-jobs-back" pact behind the scenes. Doubtful, but not impossible...

Plus, the cardinals around my house are red... but those are just the competitive males (some even try to outpeck their own reflections in the window). Of course, you risk the wrath of the orangey-grey girl birds if you say the boys are more striking.

I could be wrong, but my impression of Bloom is a guy always looking forward: no sentimental re-signings for nostalgia's sake, no Steve Pearce World Series bonus contracts, no bringing back Brock Holt, no more Moreland, no Cora or Tek at the helm, seeya later Bradley Junior. I'll bet Bloom sold his childhood baseball cards and comic book collections when he was a teenager so he could upgrade with the new iphone, and the only MLB pics he doesn't delete are of pre-arb players... He may not be ruthless, but he's definitely mookless.

It may be considered idiotic for the Braves to deal young starting pitchers for a guy who may become such a liability at third that he needs a position change. Then again, a team as loaded with talent as Atlanta just had to hire Pablo Sandoval for the hot corner while contending for a ring... Boston should never give up a young, middle-of-the-order slugger for just prospects, though; the return would have to be proven MLB quality with superstar potential... equivalent to this: Most Extra Base Hits in a Season, Age 22, 1871-2020 1. 96 Joe DiMaggio 1937 2. 90 Rafael Devers 2019

I don't know if Barnes' stock will ever be higher, unless he signs a multi-year team-friendly deal somewhere; he still throws in the high-90s and can spin a curve in the strike zone. Does anyone believe he'll develop into a more reliable option in back-to-back days or in the final inning of a game? He's already 30...

Most amazing stat of 2020: Houck only pitched three games and still tied for the top WAR on the entire staff with Eovaldi and Perez; only three position players had higher value for the sprint season -- Bradley, Verdugo and Bogaerts. When it comes to position players, I think just about anyone is fair game in trade talks this winter -- except X and Devers, who they'll try to fix (especially on D), depending on new management/coaching staff. He's still young, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox give it one more year before deciding position changes are in order -- Rafie at first, Rafie at DH, Rafie at Atlanta for pitching prospects -- which could include radical moves like sliding Bogie over and signing a star free agent shortstop... or freeing the Rockies of Arenado's contract (as long as they threw in a good arm). Nolan had a JD 2020... I'd hate to see Verdugo go, but you can be sure Bloom will listen to any offer that includes a controllable stud pitcher. That's why Vazquez may be dealt, as well. I also wouldn't be surprised if Beni, Dalbec and/or Chavis are flipped for mere perceived upgrades. Same with Barnes and Braiser. JBJ, thanks for the memories.

Both of these statements have been corroborated -- directly and indirectly -- by many quotes from former and current Astros employees. Fans or others not involved that still blame Cora are simply uniformed or choose to ignore the evidence. For all we know, the Red Sox organization had an understanding with Manfred that was in the best interests of the MLB and Boston franchise PR to discipline Cora for 2020... and intended from the beginning to rehire him. However, Bloom never voiced the love for Cora that ownership did, and the only recent clue about AC came from GM O'Halloran a week ago; when asked if the Sox may bring back Cora, he said, "That's not even on our radar."

I don't think the Red Sox bring Cora back... not in 2021. As much as ownership loves Cora, Bloom does not (why should he), and the franchise is committed to the current Chief Baseball Officer. Bloom will get to bring in his own guy, someone trusted to help oversee a rebuild. Cora is not that guy -- he is a world champion manager, who knows how to prod a first place team to greater heights. The controversy and pressure to bring back Cora may happen in a few years, when/if the Sox are finally back as legit contenders...and just missing that leader who can give them the extra push to the top.

The Red Sox need a closer who won't get cottonmouth when he tries to spit. On a tanking note, that was pretty sly of Ron running Springs back out there in the 11th last night... was that a record, blowing two saves in the same extra innings?

In the recent CC interview, Mookie explains how the Red Sox had an understanding with him that after he turned down their offer they'd try to trade him. It doesn't sound acrimonious at all, and basically confirms a mutual parting (for those who suspect Mookie was planning not to re-sign in Boston, no matter what).