poppysox

I agree with you about outs being precious. Madrigal negativity confuses me because he makes fewer outs than most.

I sure hope you are right. The minor league game is the only game in town for many people.

I agree...Hogan has shown patience as I believe my post indicated. I have shown a fair amount of patience in my 60+year WS fandom. My comment is aimed at those with zero patience. The constant harping does nothing but depress the situation instead of being encouraged by the positive direction the club is obviously going in.

No place for him to play. Stick to the knitting and fill positions of need.

If Cease wins most improved...Katz wins MVP.

If Madrigal is our weakest link...start printing the playoff tickets now. We are a lock.

That would require patience which is in very short supply on Soxtalk.

I wonder if the WS will go after Schwarber.

Surprised that not one ballot gives a vote to Grandal.

It will be interesting to see where TR puts him in the batting order. He has the skillset for leadoff, #2, or #9. My guess today would be out of the #9 position but TR will do what he thinks works with the other parts.

Speaking for myself...it never crossed my mind that it was attention-seeking.

Adam Eaton signed very quickly and I think he or his agent was very smart.

Good chance if traded that he would haunt us for 15 years. He is a throwback player and that is out of fashion by some on this forum.

He is certainly the most disliked .340 hitter I can remember.

I imagine a fair number of players have received zero interest at this point. Their anticipation must be on the roof by now. Not everyone is a star with 5 teams bidding on their services.

We keep trying to find the best way to express ourselves. Sometimes I confuse myself.?

I am talking about the real deal.

I think RH is very underrated. His ability to get extensions done is the best bar none.

People have used the poker analogy before. The player who goes all-in frequently does well until he gets burned...perhaps even getting knocked out of the game. The player who manages his money prudently stays in the game longer but of course, that system is not foolproof either. Just like at the poker table...both types have their advocates.

The Encarnacion & LaRoche deals were both praised at the time of them being announced. I agree with you that they didn't work out...but for example, if EE would have been 80% of his former self we would have won the Central. Since it didn't work out we cut bait with him and still have a good chance going forward. If you go all-in with let's say Springer and he pulls an Encarnacion...you do catastrophic damage to the rebuild.

Welcome! I think "obliterating their championship window" is a well-put phrase. The Cubs built a great core with last-place finishes and excellent drafts. They certainly didn't have high-level veterans to trade in the Sale, Q, and Eaton mold. Then they overpaid on Q and Gleybar deals... didn't get Bryant extended or traded...start the process over. Theirs is the reason I don't like these all in deals people are hyped for. Both the overpay of so called superstars and the empty the farm type all-in moves. Build a solid core like the Cubs and now the Sox did...use free agency to fill the holes with solid veterans...extend the contracts where possible creating both a solid core and tradable assets. The best organizations seem willing to pay the fair price but do not get all-in on any one deal. I know some will say the Cubs won the WS but I think they would have been better off with very good teams year after year. They quite possibly could have won several WS rings by now and still be winning today.

I agree that we are a contender right now. We are in the enviable position of improving our current good club by making relatively doable moves. Find a reliable SP, a good RP, perhaps a DH. Obviously the better the player the greater the cost. We keep discussing a half-dozen players in each area of need that at a minimum would improve the club further. If we offer Hendriks 14 million for 4 years and sign him...half the forum will scream the FO got screwed. If he signed elsewhere...half the forum scream that we need to get rid of cheap old JR. I want us to make realistic offers for good solid guys to add to an already great team. If Bauer and/or Springer can get the numbers being discussed for them I don't want them. If Hendriks can get 4 years at 15 million...I don't want him. Colome, Q, and Vaughn will get us to the playoffs and beyond. Get us better than those three names...so much the better.

I am more worried about the Dodgers than I am Toronto. Actually...I like our chances.

I hope we are represented. He would obviously help any team if healthy.

I think Orlando is saying that a username or avatar can leave an impression different than intended. Many people consider Tom Cruise an arrogant twit and your avatar kind of fits that image of him. My avatar is a young and smiling Madrigal giving the impression of my being young and good-natured...although that is far from my actual self. Secondly, you address not walking away from an argument. Most of what is talked about here is opinion...not fact. Try discussing a subject rather than winning the argument. Just my opinion that many posters try winning arguments and no one ever seems to change anyone's mind. You are a well-informed dude...don't let so many topics get personnel.