Sarava

Hahn's comment "“We’re prepared to go forward with the roster we have right now." Just annoys me. Why even say that? The roster as it stands now is a downgrade from last year. Minus Rodon and Madrigal I'd say the downgrade is rather significant. Don't try and sell this garbage on us.

That's not Conforto and Castellanos is it? The only problem is, they are trending in different directions lately.

I really miss Hawk calling Sox games. And it's nice to hear how appreciative and grateful he is for his life. Can't ask for much more than that.

I don't think there was any QO agreement with Boras. Rodon barely got a major league deal last year. That just wasn't on anyone's radar. Bottom line is - Reinsdorf is risk-adverse. That's why I figured they wouldn't offer the QO. He doesn't want to pay someone 17.8 mil to sit on the DL for 3/4 of the season. And I agree with CWS - a starter is a must here, though I suspect knowing the Sox past, they will look for a reclamation project to fill that hole on the cheap. And that's ok if they spend the cash on other holes. You cant spend a fortune on every hole.

I'd be a fan of shift restrictions.

I think Conforto is more boom or bust. If he repeats his 2021 or is even close to that level, then it's going to look like an awfully dumb signing. But if he returns to a few years ago, he would be a better addition than Bryant. Where with Kris Bryant - we know what we're going to get. He's not what he was 5 years ago, but he has versatility and adds punch to the Sox lineup. Defensively him and Conforto might be a wash in RF. And I don't know that Bryant has a huge market out there for him. All we hear is Seattle wants him. but does he really want to go to Seattle? Moneywise, we'll see what Kris gets. Remember when he was supposed to be the first 400 mil guy? He will be lucky to get 100 now.

To me Bryant is a better option than Conforto or Castellanos - but I realize there's been no smoke there and it's not happening.

Sad to hear this. RIP.

I'll go with March 5th. They'd still get their full season and expanded playoffs in.

Yep. Tanking needs to end in all professional sports. It plagues pretty much all of our sports right now. Leagues need to stop rewarding failure to the degree that they currently do.

Yep. Both sides are sleezy and would be more than happy to screw over the fans to improve their position in this fight. I find it weird seeing most of you all taking one side or the other.

As much as I like Lance Lynn, and think he will be a huge part of the Sox hopefully winning the division in 2022. His playoff track record is very mediocre, and it's not just a few games. And his performances against Houston are even worse. We probably need to assume the Sox will have to go through the Astros to get to the World Series. That is one of the main reasons I want a TOR starter.

Yeah that would be fine. I think a good starter will cost more than you suspected in the other thread. I don't think a quantity package will get you Bassitt. You're probably not going to get a fringe TOR starter (even with only 1 year left of control) without parting with Vaughn.

My only concern is - does signing Conforto pretty much cap the money Jerry will spend on this team? Because I doubt this team's starting staff is good enough to win a World Series. Unless people think Kopech is going to immediately blossom in to a TOR starter?

Bad defensive teams usually don't win the World Series. If you saddle our pitching staff with Eloy in left and Vaughn in right, that's giving a lot to opposing offenses. And heck, if that's the approach, then you may as well just sign Castellanos for RF and load up the offense as much as possible.

I assumed when they picked up the option that they had some offers on the table. So I had your point of view originally. But now I'm nervous about it. Did they overplay their hand? Or did they pick up the option to save face and avoid admitting what a stupid trade it was? I'm not sure now. But I do feel confident that it's tieing up dollars that could be used elsewhere on the team, which sucks.

I mean, sure. But why on earth do you think the A's would do that deal?

I can't stand anyone that abuses women. It disgusts me that the Hawks still associate with Bobby Hull. But we've got nothing here other than he enjoy weird consensual sex. I can't compare that to wife beaters unless we get some hard evidence or a conviction. They won't even go to trial on this, let alone convict him. That tells me this is likely a bunch of crap. How many people wanted Patrick Kane run out of town when those (false) rape accusations were out there?

He's definitely weird, but I wouldn't have a problem with the Sox acquiring him under certain circumstances.

That might depend on whether the team stays or flees if you don't finance the stadium. Didn't Comiskey cost the state of illinois $137 mil? Knowing the alternative was the Sox moving to Tampa, dont you think the Sox have brought more to the state and city than $137 mil over the last 30+years? I suspect it's paid for itself 10x over. Even if the state was too dumb to pay off the actual debt. That's a whole nother story.

Neither side is going to budge much until we're at a point of serious chance of major cancellations. We're not there yet and honestly, we're not even close to that point yet. Both sides are trying to bluff the other side in to thinking they will hold their line even if it misses half the season or all the season. They'll both cave when the time comes. If the season starts a little bit late, who cares.

Bummer. I'm going to need to find myself a new avatar.

Well since the Sox rarely hit on and develop draft picks well, that's ok, eh?

Let's hope this isn't the Sox plan

Were you expecting the Sox to be the 27 Yankees and breeze to multiple championships? Why would a disappointing season break you?