Pretty sure that's a very recent phenomenon, though I though this admin had tightened back down on it. Like Robert is one of the last guys who had to defect.
Sox fans that don't spend an inordinate amount time b****ing about the Sox on the internet are pretty excited about 2020 from what I've gathered anecdotally.
It's not that linear. Dane Dunning, Kopech and Rodon will all likely be available at some point. Stiever as well to a lesser extent. Gonzalez is insulation against having to find a guy off the street. Which now seems like it's unlikely to happen.