Flash

Fun to speculate on but I don't see a deal here. As much as I like Benintendi, we are pretty much set positionally, or will be when Robert and Madrigal join, so no reason to part with any of our high value prospects. Rodriguez would be a good get to help balance value but Red Sox need him, especially with Price gone. FG assigns an approx. AAV of $15M to Price so Boston would have to cough up $50M before we even talk about corresponding assets from our side.

Would much prefer Darvish/Rizzo to Price/Beni. Rizzo is arguably the best def. 1B in MLB and if both Darvish and Price are right, I'd want Darvish all day. You certainly wouldn't have to part with Madrigal and Cease for the Boston pieces, who are infinitely more available, whereas very little incentive for Cubs to move two of their key 2020 pieces.

Plenty of reasons this trade wouldn't happen but the notion of Rizzo's glove at first base would go a long way toward stabilizing a young error-prone defense and, with very few exceptions, he'd be about the best LH bat to complement our RHanded lineup.

Pomeranz struck me as perfect swing guy. Can go multiple innings or close and maybe occasionally provide a start if needed...exactly what SD signed him to do and why I felt he was a perfect fit for Sox.

I don't think you can quibble about '19 FA signings. I actually believe Mazara will pleasantly surprise and Grandal was target #1. Wheeler would have changed everyone's outlook but it looks as though we gave an honest and aggressive effort. My problem with Hahn/FO is the impression of a lack of overall vision. If we had a vision for what we need to look like as world champions, we could map back and make measured moves toward that vision. I think Preller and San Diego are good examples. They went into the meetings with a clear idea of what they needed to accomplish and, either through trade or FA, got their guy(s) and improved their roster. Hahns moves seem more random and a bit opportunistic. He should have had multiple players targeted (a la Pomeranz) and moved aggressively. Now, having been outflanked by more nimble GMs, we are left to overpay for a few square pegs or hope our young arms are up to the task.

We become way more interesting next year and beyond with Price and Benintendi although I'd try to retain Collins. Maybe Sheets and Pilkington/Hauer?

No doubt Price is a bit too angry and fragile. That said, I'm a Benintendi fan and if there is a way you can reel him in under a cost efficient structure, I'd take Price to get it done.

per Craig Edwards at Fangraphs "If Price were a free agent today, it’s tough to see him getting anything other than a one-year deal, but even over two years, it’s hard to see his value as any more than $30 million. If we assume Price’s value is around $30 million, it creates a $60 million gap between his value and his contract. Maybe saving $5 million to $10 million in payroll is enough to satisfy Boston, but presumably they are looking for greater savings by potentially moving their most expensive player. If that’s the case and the Red Sox are intent on lowering payroll, then Passan’s suggestion to attach a player of value makes some sense. The problem, then, is finding such a player." Goes on to suggest that Benintendi would offset most of the deficit.

I'd consider sending both Madrigal and Vaughn for Price, Beni and Rodriguez.

These contracts are shocking. What has happened in last 3 yrs, revenue wise that has changed the economics of MLB so dramatically? Is this all about subscription revenue?

If you crawl around the fan posts on Over The Monster there is strong sentiment to move him. Had major confrontation with Eckersley on team plane over perceived negative comments and apparently isn't well liked in the clubhouse.

Forget Price. Bad move. Not the guy you want rubbing off on the young uns.

Wow...really polarizing trade for this board. I'm on the side of good trade. I can see platton with Mazara getting 400 ABs and Engel/Leury the rest. Mazara mashed RH pitching and is young. I'll be PO'd if we don't come away with a rotation piece but, in a vacuum, Mazara is fine.

The guy we want from the Yankees would be Tauchman. Great D at any OF spot, LH power bat and Chicagoan. I'd try to get Yanks to kick in a few million toward Happ's salary. Looks as though they might want to trim payroll to make room for Cole.

Probably been mentioned but Chris Archer might be a change of scenery candidate. Guessing Pirates would be fine unloading him, perhaps in combo with Marte who MLB Trade Rumors says Pirates will move, ideally for a young catcher. Do you think Collins, Fulmer and ??? would get their attention?

Of all the names/AAVs that have been discussed here, to me, Ozuna is the least interesting. When I would see his name among FAs I wondered who would be crazy enough to commit big money. Guess we'll have the answer soon enough.

Lets contemplate some trades to net us a starting pitcher and RFr. Boston/Yankees/Rockies???

Time for some overcompensation to placate the base. Lets see some rapid fire signings/trades beginning with Pederson.

5/$100M w$20M/WS option for 6th. Maybe $5M buy-out?

You might be right but its a risk I'd take. Prellor knows him well and if he was able to bottle his Brewers stuff, excellent move by Padres.

Completely agree. We should have been all over him although thats a pretty penny.

With Grandal on board I'd focus on Wheeler and Pomeranz, who I believe would be the ideal swing man...capable of starting, multi-inning relief and close. We should have the assets to trade for a RF'r.

From your lips to Ricks ears...

Tie Tauchman to Happ and Yanks eat $3M and maybe throw in Bird. We send Lopez and Fry. We solve for LH RF who can play defense and mash plus 4-5 starter plus LH bat off bench or DH (Bird might not be ready to take field at 1B but if he is, he's great flexibility/depth).

Doesn't anyone believe this team can compete for the Central in '20 with a couple of key additions? Who wants to wait until next year?