Flash

This has already been anticipated but a reliable source of information told me Detroit is on cusp of announcing Hinch as manager.

I just don't think the WS will pony up for a difference making FA pitcher. The guys we would want in trade carry 50+FV and more. We aren't moving Robert or Giolito and TA and Moncada are unlikely (and less valued). If we want a difference maker in trade, we need to be prepared to move someone of value and, for me, Eloy is expendable.

Madrigal doesn't hold much trade value. Of current assets, Eloy might bring back a quality starter with several years of team control in trade. Despite his HR power he is a defensive liability who limits lineup flexibility. Moving him would not be a popular move but, other than Bauer, none of the current FA crop excite. Maybe Seattle (Gonzalez and Kelenic) for package headed by Eloy or Milwaukee (Burnes) ? I feel with COVID uncertainty, spending will be curtailed and teams seeking to fill needs will do so through trades that don't add much payroll.

If only....

Fuld and Geren are interesting to me and I hope either or both end up in the organization even if not as manager this time around.

Payroll (Forbes) @ 54% of Revenue (2018). It is not clear what the revenue line is/was for 2020 but safe to assume the Sox will lose in the neighborhood of $40-$50M.

I love Bauer but I'd be shocked if we sign him. I agree we need another high-quality starter but feel our best chance is to land him through trade. There are talented arms under reasonable contracts who might be available. Guys like Musgrove (Pirates), Burnes/Woorduff (Brewers) come to mind.

So awesome!!

Will take a ballsy move for a team to pursue big $$ free agents w/o visibility into 2021 revenue. I doubt the usual suspects like Yankees, Dodgers or Red Sox step up. Mets might be interesting given new ownership and will likely be players for McCann but I can't imagine teams increasing payroll unless/until the revenue outlook turns positive. I think the Sox can sit back and select from the non-tendered at bargain prices while also exploring the trade market. I think they will lose McCann due to so many teams needing catching but, for me, the wild card is Colome. He will have suitors and we will likely need to exceed $10M/yr.

Boy, I'd take Atlanta's pitching staff over ours or LA's for the foreseeable future. Anderson, Fried, Sorotka, Wright...throw in Toussaint, Wilson, Minter and they are stacked with young fireballers. Braves should be contenders for the foreseeable future if they stay healthy.

I tend to agree unless they bring in TLR which would indicate to me they plan to go for it and possibly increase spending.

According to Hahn, MLB will lose >$3B in 2020. While thats an avg of $100M/team. Teams that rely on ticket sales for the bulk of revenue will suffer the most. I don't know how much the Sox will lose in 2020 but hard to see any team anxious to add to their losses in 2021 and my guess is teams will go the other way. In Sox case, they shed significant payroll that can be reallocated to fill most urgent needs. Will be interesting to see what happens with Colome.

No doubt, but unlikely they trade for anyone attached to an outsized financial commitment. My only caveat is if they hire TLR to a short term (2yrs) deal. He and JR might want to go out with a bang. No other reason to entertain LaRussa or for LaRussa to take the job.

I believe the economic environment will remain uncertain and probably net negative. There will be moves made but I see it as unlikely for the Sox to commit to Bauer or anyone with a significant price tag save for a mid-priced rotation piece or two (Quintana, Smiley, Paxton, etc.). I do think it is reasonable to expect trades and quite possible we target a RF'r and or starting pitcher for a package of minor league assets. I can see us pursuing Lance Lynn for a package led by Stiever plus.

Can LaStella play RF?

I'd add Fried, Flaherty, Buehler, Lamet in addition to Burnes. I doubt Elloy would be enough for any straight up. Other than Bauer, no FA pitcher is a needle mover. If we need another top rotation arm (I am in this camp), we will need to trade. We have depth at DH and Eloy has premium trade value despite the visceral reaction to trading him.

Guessing Nats would love to offload that commitment (1 yr. left) but they would have to eat a meaningful amt. of the $34M, depending on the player(s) we send.

Don't mean to flog this to death but it got me thinking...is there any pitcher (assuming JR would agree to $30M+/yr. for Cole, DeGrom, Kershaw, Scherzer, etc.) who Sox fans would be okay trading Eloy straight up for? maybe Bieber?

Yes....sorry. I inadvertantly responded to wrong text. Agreed.

Burnes > Stromen.

Careers? Eloy? Burnes is 25 yrs. old. You might check Baseball Trade Values which includes a host of inputs/variables such as contract, etc. (hint...Burnes is more highly valued).

Burnes...2.1 ERA; 2.03 FIP; 1.0 WHIP; 13.3 K/9 ; 2.4 WAR; 4 yrs of control. FWIW, unlikely Brewers would entertain it but lets not pretend its unreasonable.

This might not be popular but I would dangle Eloy for a T-O-R starter and would target Corbin Burnes/Brewers. Baseball Trade Values weights them almost equal in trade value although not sure if Brewers would bite.

I don't disagree. I think a package headed by Steiver might turn it and despite his late season struggles, he would be a nice addition to the rotation.

I think you need a package of 3 prospects from the system. Headline prospect being someone like Steiver along with Mercedes and Rutherford or players of that ilk.