poppysox

I would build this deal on two really solid guys who are ready to play on opening day. Perhaps they are blocked because of the star players in front of them. We desperately need players who make the team watchable. Those big-name free agents get added when you are already good. Those future star guys won't put a single fanny in a seat.

Maybe...but he won't be one of Jerry's players.

Yeah...miracles will happen from time to time.

Jerry might sign a 30 mil per year player. I said might. He is not signing a 30 million dollar per year player for 10 years. Our best path is to spend the money on as many GOOD players as 200 million will allow. Sorry...I'm a realist.

We aren't going to pay for an established superstar. Our best chance is a potential superstar.

I want the team with the two best major league-ready position players. Two players who are currently great but blocked would be ideal. The Cubs seem to have that problem...who else?

Jerry-type organizations have both the wherewithal and the obligation to spend in the second tier of ownership. By that, I mean 200+ million. That payroll range all but eliminates "Soto-type deals" but puts a watchable team on the field.

Like Robert?

Finding an answer to the competitive imbalance of payrolls is imperative IMO. Very few teams have any realistic path to winning a WS.

I jerry-rigged a portable radio with its pull-out antenna to a string of coat hangers and aluminum foil to kind of hear a Sox radio broadcast. Good times.

I've heard that somewhere. Very catchy. However, I can't spend $1 when they give me a dime in entertainment value. Perplexing.

You are looking at the position players much like I do. If all your position players are in the top 15 at their respective positions... you will have an above-average team sans pitchers. When I look at pre-2024 rankings only Robert made the cut ranking 4th. Vaughn ranked 23rd, and Moncada ranked 22, and Fletcher 28th. Shortstop, 2nd base, left field, and catcher were unranked in the top 30. We can't be surprised that we played like a bottom-feeder. Jerry should have a 200+ payroll every year as a major market team. I believe that would put a respectable team on the field. Instead, we are wandering around talking about 50 million-dollar payrolls. 200 million goes a long way when the target is "above average" at all positions instead of one or two stars.

I haven't brought up Madrigal in months. However, I like scrappy little players who the pros pick to go at the top of the draft. The injury bug takes down guys like Moncada who is every bit the disappointment of Madrigal. Big strong men who hit .200 with 30 bombs just aren't my thing. Some posters get tiresome with their constant negative BS. As I have said many times. entertainment is what I want to see. Speed, defense, and timely hitting are more entertaining than a HR every 20 at-bats. Carry-on.

Let's take a vote...I think you must be the smartest fan ever.

Not me.

Yep...that Cub vs Sox thing is over. Jerry has waved the white flag.

I think the above...plus selling the team is the plan. Jerry is 88 years old and is not taking some build the team from the bottom up plan of action. Not long now would be my bet.

'Agreed! How you take baseball and turn it into this cleaver pile of nothing, eludes me.

Good Point!

There is only one week before this site is alive with chatter about all our new players.

Maybe...

Times and thoughts change. I think Jerry is selling in the not-to-distant future. Owning a team is an ego thing for some of his investors. This can't be good for their egos. I currently take a lot of ribbing from my circle of friends. Can you imagine what it's like for actual owners?

I think it will happen sooner. The WS can't run these 50 million payrolls for long before killing the golden goose. I'm already considering the cancellation of my MLB.TV subscription. I'm a glutton for punishment but this is not "entertaining" to watch.

I suspect JR is prepping the club for sale by not having burdensome contracts, etc. That would be fine and I hope he finds a whale. When JR hired Getz, his comments indicated he was fast-tracking our return to respectability by hiring from inside the organization. That doesn't square with no interest in free agents...just trades for prospects. JR doesn't have 10 more years to be patient, and neither do I.

Hays is somewhat different. He is a quality player with a good excuse for an off-year. Most formerly good players who are suddenly available suffer from old age or injury.