poppysox

I agree. A 160 million budget is still appropriate compared to the 130 frequently being suggested by some of our fellow posters.

Good thoughts.

As I said...the 70 million starting point is including the after arbitration raises.

I've been using this number of 160 million as my projected bench mark on the Sox total spending limit. With 70 million already accounted for in probable after arbitration spending...that leaves 90 million for RH to acquire the missing pieces.

Great job of putting your ideas in a clear and easy to understand format. It will be telling how RH attacks the pitching.

I think your take on this is right.

Assuming Sanchez is released...quite possible Madrigal signs an extension and starts his season with the Sox.

Shows flashes...then again so does Nova.

The changes you outline are enough to compete in 2020 IMO. People tend to forget that 4 positions in our lineup were virtual black holes. Robert, Madrigal, RF and DH makes this a fun lineup. We will have much better pitching for most of the year with no additions...just the returns of Kopech, Rodon and Dunning . A couple of serviceable starters makes this a very respectable team. Cole is obviously much better than the 2nd tier pitchers we discuss here. JDM is better than a serviceable DH. I see the floor as a competitive fun team to watch with the ceiling being a trip to the WS if things break right. Fun offseason gonna start soon.

Good point...it can be addictive. Even more so when doing interesting things like this off season.

Guys like you would argue with the undertaker.?

150 million would have placed us 13th last year. Not much of a "reach" for my taste. Astros and Huston were at 168. That seems about right to me if looking for JR's ceiling. I'm not trying to waste money but no way am I accepting 130 million as making the effort to compete.

Sanchez would work but I prefer other options than Schwarber.

I pick yearly post-season appearances.

Assuming filling RF and DH with competent players our lineup looks really strong. Beefing up starting pitching looks prudent with the unknown situations surrounding Kopech, Rodon, Dunning and Lopez...seems prudent to have plenty of reinforcements. If things break our way...we can play against anyone. If we sign Grandal we improve catcher and DH. I'm thinking we get a Calhoun or Peterson type for RF. I like that lineup a lot. JDM would improve the lineup a ton...but not sure the Grandal acquisition wouldn't improve the team a bit more. If the starter acquired was a #1 like Cole...even a Nova would satisfy me. Also, a couple of competent relief guys our on the list as they are with every contending team.

That's more or less what I expect. The primary pitcher could be Cole, Strasburg or Wheeler. If we take Wheeler...the second starter would be from the frequently named second tier of Keuchel, Ryes, Bumgarner, Wood and Odorizzi.

Calhoun and Pederson are the best names I've heard so far. Neither would break the bank and you pretty much know what you get.

What?

The World could end tomorrow. You are certainly a half glass empty sort of guy.

If you add the five or six players I suggested Cole, Wheeler, Grandal, Solid RF and Solid 2 bullpen pieces plus Robert/Madrigal/Kopeck +++I would expect to run away with this division. Also, I refuse to accept the premise that being the 11th highest payroll in baseball is beyond this franchises resources. Lastly...I am not saying no one needs to spend carefully...I maintain that we can afford any of the available toys the FO deems necessary. The franchise has the money to afford Cole and whoever else would be wanted to jump start the next phase.

Optimist...Pessimist. Most of us have a tendency to be one or the other. The offseason is very long to start off with a loser mentality.?

Herrera is sunk money. We have to hope a restful offseason cures whatever ails him. If he doesn't find his old self he will get the Alonso treatment and be released.

Jerry will not disappoint us again. We were told the money would be there when the time is right. My watch says it's time.

I think they can afford Cole, Grandal, Wheeler, a 15 million right fielder and two very good relief pitchers. That comes to approx. 100 million in my mind. A total payroll of 160 million would be my floor for acceptable team payroll 2020. That payroll doesn't put us in the top 1/3.

Why is a $160 million payroll so outlandish? That amount would place us around 11th place overall. I would expect that or more after 3+ years on a starvation diet.