poppysox

Yeah...that's a real equalizer.

Then at the least have a higher bottom cap.

True...but the variance between the extremes is obviously leading to half the league can't compete.

I don't think Hahn is the GM in a traditional manner. We have a 3-piece GM committee with JR, KW, and RH. Rick is actually the contracts guy with KW being the talent evaluator and JR of course is the banker. They are all in this together so can't blame any one of them.

The Met spend over 7+ times the money to spend as some of their rivals...and baseball claims to want competitive balance. A hard floor and a hard cap are needed before the game is given up for dead.

It's very hard to separate Hahn from the three headed monster that is the FO. I cut Hahn some slack because it isn't easy to say no to your bosses who sign your check.

If you are going to spend $200 million there is no reason not to try to assemble a team with a chance. I believe TLR just sucked the life out of this team with his don't run hard, play Leury every day, and naps during the game. I'm thinking Pedro is going to pump some life back into this disappointing team. He certainly has commented on being aware of the problem. Hahn has until ST to fix the known weaknesses and keep me from turning on him.

In my opinion, Moncada was one of the people Pedro was referring to when he observed that it was obvious the Sox didn't always look ready to play. I have a hunch that Moncada, Robert, and Eloy among others will have some needed attitude adjustment with the new coaching staff.

I hope you are wrong but fear you are right. My hope is we fill our openings with some obviously great players, and we all feel ashamed we ever doubted. Yeah...I know this isn't what most poster think is probable.

Of the names we have seen mentioned...Kepler is still my #1 favorite. Does lots of things this team needs.

Excellent observation.

I agree with the points you make. However, there are many players who might be available that would greatly fit the bill. I am trying to keep the faith and wait to judge the offseason until it's over.

Agreed! Also, concentrate on strengthening the real problems that are RF and 2nd while trusting the new manager and staff to have a pulse.

My take is that PG is the real deal, and the coaching staff is the best since the Al Lopez era. Pedro seems to have known that the team frequently looked flat and disinterested. The manager change will make a BIG difference IMO.

That would be giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I am frequently surprised with the high valuations some forum members put on players from competing teams. Those same posters frequently see our own players as hardly worth anything in trade value. In the old days fans wanted to trade 3 or 4 garbage players for the other team's star player.

Heyward would have better filled that role and was basically free.

The thought was that Jose would be a good role model for the Moncada, Robert, and Eloy's of the team. We might find that motivation is best left to the manager and coaches.

In my view JR has spent adequate money over the years to produce many good seasons. The FO which includes JR has spent the money in foolish ways is the problem. The contracts to Leury and Kelly are recent examples of dumb money being spent. A billionaire hobbyist is a better owner type to have in today's baseball environment than an ownership group. However, plenty of teams have done well by running a well-managed front office. In all probability...JR has had too much hands on with the day-to-day player decisions.

I doubt that any of us have any idea who they are targeting.

Something worth considering since we are all disappointed that a deal wasn't accomplished at the meetings...most of the players we were hopeful of signing are still available. All this talk of signing leftover players is premature IMO.

Kelly for Madrigal would be the way to go.

He forgot to remind us that sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make.

I've been expecting Heyward for months now. Almost too obvious at virtually zero cost.

I understand that most posters feel as you do. Just saying that the meetings are still going on. Let's see what happens before we get the rope for the lynching.