Flash

Yeah, who wants to win anyway?

Too many casino metaphors. BTW, I wouldn't trade a top 25 prospect but rather attempt to package a compelling combo of 3-4 guys who might be of interest to Boston. Some combination of Bummer, Collins, Steiver, Sheets, Walker, Rutherford, etc.

trade for him, do our best to extend him and enjoy him for however long he is here

Who advocates trading Madrigal, Vaughn or Cease? Maybe scroll to the beginning where we talk about who not to include. Or are you psychic and already know Red Sox asking price?

The market is what the market is. If we are not players above a certain level, fine. That would apply to any superstar...Betts, Trout, Bellinger, etc. I would think our chances of signing him are significantly better once he gets here (i,e. Goldschmidt) then waiting until 2021. In the meantime, we could pencil him in every game in 2020 when, along with another starter (Wheeler?) and BP piece (Pomeranz?), Sox can make some noise.

All depends on the significant assets. Personally, I would try to put an acceptable package together sans Madrigal, Kopech and Robert and try to resign him, ala Cards/Goldschmidt. No reason to believe he won't be happy here as long as he gets paid. To me, other than Wheeler, Betts would be the biggest needle mover towards competitiveness.

Guessing Rox would be interested in a package that helped shed some dead money. Maybe Gray plus Wade Davis or Dan Murphy?

I'd try to put an acceptable package together that didn't include our top 4-5 prospects then take the risk of resigning him. Even if he bolts after a year, he'll energize the team and have a lasting positive impact on the youngsters. My guess is if we can get him here, we'll find a way to keep him.

Maybe not but worth a flier. The real target is Tauchman. Big LH OF w/pop. Can and has played all 3 OF spots. Young, cost-controlled Chgo kid. Maybe Carson Fulmer as part of package along with Rodon? Yankees also said to be trying to free up $$ for run at Cole. Guessing they might contribute toward a portion of Happs $17M '20 contract. Sox might pick up a 4-5 starter along with Tauchman and Bird under right circumstances.

I'd do business with the Yankees. The guy we'd want is Tauchman. They'd probably be okay moving Bird as well. Bird struggles with injuries and is coming off of a big one but, if right, has a big left-handed bat for DH and spot duty at 1B. Tauchman would be RF for next several years and might be available if they re-sign Gardner and keep Frazier. Send Rodon, Fry and Rutherford back.

Guessing a team might find Rodon interesting enough as a return piece. Especially as part of a bundle.

sorry?

He's also inexpensive and fits their budget.

They might. TA is marketable. Could be their face of the franchise.

Here's an admittedly controversial idea...sign Didi and trade TA to Miami for Sandy Alcantara (young All-Star RH SP) and JJ Bleday, RF of the future.

Yeah maybe so. I'm not sure how WAR is calculated but 11-8 w/3.96 ERA doesn't seem like 5yr./$100M. Cubs inked Hendricks for 4/$55 w/option and, I might be wrong but Hendricks has been the better pitcher, although not sure where FanGraphs ranks him. I know apples vs. oranges but someone ought to repeal the law of supply and demand ?

Love the peripherals but does anyone else have concerns about Wheeler as a TOR guy? I know about his injuries in the past and his velo and 3 pitch arsenal but he's been pretty ordinary when healthy. I'd imagine Mets would figure out a way to sign him if he was that valuable.

I wouldn't mess with Moncada. 3rd is where he belongs. I believe this club would be much stronger with improved defense at SS. I see Didi as the answer. Try TA in CF or RF and if he sticks, bingo. If not, Didi can get plenty of ABs as IF support (inc. 1B) and DH. Alternatively, TA should have strong trade value coming off his 2019 and his team friendly contract. Not sure who needs a SS (Reds, Giants,?) but guessing he could bring serious pitching help.

No. TA makes too many errors. Its a problem. But, in the POs and WS, I'm sure you watched Gurriel and even LeMahieu save throwing error after error with their glove work at 1B.

Wonder how many of TAs errors were on throws that Abreu couldn't pick?

I'd go strong after Didi but you don't get him for $9M/year. FG projects 2/$28M and MLB.com suggested 3/$42M. I do like your thinking.

You wouldn't trade Lopez for benintendi?

Much prefer Benintendi and far less expensive

Their need for pitching

Don't want Price even with Red Sox picking up a big portion. Benintendi is intriguing and I can see Lopez for him straight up.