SoxBlanco

It would make for a pretty good pool to guess the opening day DH right now. There are so many variables, like whether we will sign somebody or whether we will work out an extension with Vaughn. Even the opposing pitcher for opening day would be an important variable. If you guys had to predict a name right now on January 15, who would you guess?

Oh, I totally agree. I guess I was just saying it would have been better to say "like the Sox will ever get close to $200M" instead of "like the Sox will ever have to pay the luxury tax". I realize those are basically the same thing, but I'm just pointing it out for the sake of the point he was trying to make,

That’s kind of his point, though, if what he’s saying is correct. If there’s no chance the Sox will ever pay the luxury tax, it’s good to know the payroll can actually be higher than $210M without having to pay it.

I’m with you. I think he’s a perfect fit for our situation right now. High ceiling, but if he sucks/gets injured, hopefully Kopech is ready to take his spot in the rotation.

It’s an interesting proposal, but I think I agree with @Y2Jimmy0 that the Brewers say no. Burnes is such a unique trade target. His potential is through the roof, which means the Brewers would probably want Kopech or Vaughn. But it’s tough for us to give up our best prospects for a guy who is still unproven in a way.

It's not just about Kopech vs. Kluber. If Cease is struggling, then Kopech can replace him. If somebody gets hurt, Kopech can be a replacement. If Kopech has to stay down all year because all five of our starters stay healthy and pitch well, then we'll be in the best team in the AL, and it won't even be close.

If he’s pitching well, then he won’t lose playing time. If he’s not pitching well, then he wouldn’t be getting a big contract anyway.

Huh? Perhaps you are directing that question at somebody else. I don't think we should be acquiring Benintendi because there isn't a place for him to play. If we do happen to grab an outfielder that pushes Eloy to DH, then Vaughn will be staying in the minors, but I don't see that happening. My main point was that they will only be calling Vaughn up if there is a chance for him to play every day...not to just get spot starts.

People are upset about Madrigal because they want there to be a higher ceiling associated with the 4th overall pick in the draft. However, I'm with you on this discussion. They took a guy who was almost guaranteed to be a major leaguer, and I am completely fine with that. I also have no doubt that Madrigal will improve his defense and base running. He'll never have elite speed, but I can't believe people are worried about his base running. Good base running requires good instincts and a high baseball IQ. It's tough to teach those things, and I have no doubt Nick has them, not just because of a scouting report, but because of things I have already seen him do (for example, tagging up from first on a fly ball to CF when the center fielder is catching it on his heels). Good base running also requires being aggressive at times, and because of that, you are going to get thrown out every once in a while. Things you could get away with in high school and maybe even college aren't going to fly in the major leagues, and he will learn that. It's absolutely crazy to be worried about his baserunning at this point in time. As for his defense, he got eaten up by the lip a couple times. Once again, he will learn. He's not an idiot. I'd be more worried if he were booting routine grounders.

I agree that the situation could work itself out, but once Vaughn is up, he's going to be playing every day. He won't get called up to just get spot starts.

That’s my exact thought as well.

You know who else is red for 11 of 13 categories? Musgrove. And he won't cost nearly what those other guys would cost in a trade.

I was thinking the same thing. And he actually used the word “minimum”, making it sound like it could possibly be more than $18M per year!

I don't think anybody is questioning his info. He definitely has sources, and I appreciate when he shares information. I just don't understand why he was trying to discredit Beef/Portillos by saying they would have leaked the Hendriks signing sooner if they were true insiders. Those food accounts might not have had the signing yet, or they might have had it and chose not to leak it just like Harold. Either way, it doesn't mean they don't have sources. It seems pretty obvious they have connections somewhere, even if it's secondhand.

I’m with you. And with Kopech joining us later, we have a built in security blanket if Kluber isn’t healthy.

Actually, you are. But you didn’t answer my question.

Why didn’t you break the news here when you heard it?

I want it to be Vaughn as soon as possible. I wish I could read about some Vaughn/Crochet match ups from Schaumburg. Those would be fun to see.

That's exactly the question I have been wondering. I really don't know. It's actually a pretty good package without including Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet.

I'd like to know more about Hendrik's blown saves. If he comes in to the game in the 8th inning of a 1 run game with guys on base and gives up a run, that's a blown save. I have no idea if that was the case for any of his 8 blown saves, but it's something worth checking out if you are going to compare Colome and Hendriks that way.

I think I'd be willing to give up Kelley, Madrigal, and Heuer for a starting pitcher. You guys have any idea who we could land with a package like that?

But if we pick up the 4th year option, there's no way you can call that $18M AAV.

Is it basically an AAV of either $18M or $13.5, depending on whether the option is picked up? Is that how AAV is calculated in a deal like this?

Good call, buddy. (And I when I say "buddy", I do mean it in a condescending, Look at Ray Ray Run type of way)

Sign me up. He had a 0.00 ERA last year. I can't imagine too many pitchers were better than that. Although the 9.0 BB/9 were a little high, so hopefully he can fix those control issues.