SoxBlanco

You have to call it. This could be hilarious.

Doesn’t that go against Hahn’s comments about not wanting to compromise the extended window just to get a quick bump?

I think you’re reading into it too much. He’s just saying that they aren’t going to make a move just for the sake of making a move at the winter meetings. If the move makes sense, they will make it, just like they would have if it were last week or next week.

You can’t throw Engel in there as well. That’s too much.

Is this Hector's way of saying we should be on the lookout for some sort of Frank Castillo update on Ozuna?

No, just speculation from people around here after raBBit said we could trade for a coveted starting pitcher. I don't think the Rays are trading Snell.

I think Kinander has the same sources as @raBBit And I don't mean that as a knock. This just seems very similar to what raBBit was tweeting this morning.

Haha, I actually typed out almost exactly that same response and then thought, "I don't feel like getting involved in this discussion" and deleted it.

If we include Cease in a package for a SP, then all of a sudden Keuchel on a multiyear deal as our second best starting pitcher acquisition isn't so bad.

Does anybody believe we haven't even been in contact with Ozuna about a deal?

And last year, "Whale" was batting cleanup for us.

Thanks. This whole thing is so strange. I might be crazy, but I still think there is something to this, despite what JR said. I don't think a deal was ever reached, but I think a deal was discussed and perhaps was close.

Orlando, ask him if he has talked to Frank Castillo about this report.

Do you think we haven't even had discussions with Ozuna yet?

Perhaps when he said "I don't recall any conversation about Marcell Ozuna", he meant that he doesn't recall any conversation about a deal being finalized. Semantics, yes, but this is very strange either way.

This seems most likely to me. If the Sox simply made an offer, they would deny any rumor that a deal was in place (and they'd be telling the truth). If Ozuna likes the offer and tells his family he will fly to the US to complete a physical and sign the deal, it could leak to this Frank Castillo guy.

What do you think the chances of are of Ozuna being a $50M+ bust? Seems like his floor is a solid 2-3 WAR player.

Of course he doesn't know for sure. I respect his opinion and like talking baseball with him. I'm not looking for an official announcement of a deal.

Three questions for you, raBBit: 1. Do you think we sign Ozuna? 2. What percentage chance would you put on the Sox making a trade this week? 3. Do you think Cease could get moved in the right deal?

Ask him this... Did you communicate with Frank Castillo after this report surfaced? Or do you just trust his reporting?

I think it's Cease or Lopez. If we are getting a good starting pitcher, we probably have to give up a major league ready starting pitcher prospect in return. Would Cease, Collins, Walker, Flores come close to landing Snell?

Was Gomez able to speak to Ozuna last night? If so, it seems like it would be pretty easy to shoot down this rumor. If he's sticking with his "I trust Frank Castillo" line, I would guess this is happening.