Rounding_Third

I'm thinkin' that if NL goes DH, Padres won't waste any time bringing him onboard for 2 years. I'm sure Cruz would be very happy there.

I prefer Asdrubal Cabrera. His 2020 contract was for $2.5m. Good SH, good but not great stats from both sides, very good LH OPS, both O & D versatility. Could DH every day from either side. Plays every IF position. But, apparently the Sox FO feels that IF utility depth and/or LH bat are not weaknesses and not worth spending $2-3m to have it.

Particularly at BUC. Not everyone agrees about that need, I'm a yes, definitely. 3 of the best are now gone; Ramos, Romine, and Suzuki, each for >=$2m. Sox were spoiled with McCann and now I believe undervalued his contribution. We're going from a great defensive BUC with an .896 OPS to .292 with Collins and his crappy defense and they're fine with that. Like I said before, Yaz, please, please, PLEASE stay healthy. Btw, that's Sox FO strategy too.

100% agree! Still a few out there but being picked off every day and they just do nothing.

Every baseball analyst and Sox FO stated their main 2021 needs were closer, SP, LH bat. So they get their closer, fantastic job, just go 50% on SP, ok, and they're suddenly done? And still haven't come close to their intended payroll? Wow! Oh and they need IF depth and BUC though they they'll have us believe they don't.

Still no solution for the sub 500 record against RHP.

And we better pray that Yaz stays healthy or turn over catching duties to the Collins experiment.

lol I know, right, How dare him sit on the bench for that price! Bum!

Just saw the Tigers signed Wilson Ramos for a paltry $2m. Good thing we didn't need him, either. At $2m, it would have broken the bank.

This must be more about staying in the bay area. The Giants are already set 3rd-1st. Utility role? Glad to hear though that "he fills their need for a LH bat".

That's for sure, trying very hard to stay calm and patient right now but it ain't easy.

...where drivels go to die...

Wainwright hands down. Both equally risky for durability. Waino would make the switch to the AL much better; his savvy vs unfamiliar hitters. No contest for the playoffs.

I wouldn't get too hopeful. IMO, this is a pump job for a friend to stir interest and scare the Twins. Why, in Blomberg's name, would Cruz commit to a Sox offer, probably a low ball one at that, before the NL DH is decided? And there's no credible indication from anywhere else that Sox have made any offer or even shown interest.

Yeah, for 4 yr $58m deal. C'mon.

So I missed this and just read that Stl offer was 1 yr under $5m. Wow! So if Sox offer is $5-6, StL would not match? Maybe so. Pretty cheap of them, if true. If I was a Cardinal fan, I'd be pretty ticked off if that happened.

Not the same scenario. StL claims they want him back and have proven it by making him an offer, albeit an unknown $. Lester didn't play his entire career with Cubs. 15 seasons for Wainwright in Stl carries a heck of a lot of good will.

I'd be ok with his signing, too. But I don't understand why StL wouldn't sign him for this $. They publicly stated they want him back, He said he wanst to finish there, too. His goodwill value alone is substantial. If they don't match it, why? Do they know something that makes them feel that he'd not be worth $5-6m? it doesn't smell right.

StL would match that in a heartbeat. The Wainwright rumor make absolutely no sense unless the Sox overpay so badly that StL says take him.

Dateline June15th, 2021: The Boston Red Sox announced they've placed Garrett Richards on the 21 day DL with shoulder tendonitis.

yeah agreed, prob more a pitch count by type than innings. If (they) can successfully navigate this season then full speed, no limit in 2022. That's why I would like to see him in the long reliever/spot start roles this year. They can utilize him effectively while stretching out his season as long as possible. Guessing maybe a stop at 130-150 innings whatever that pitch count would be.

I believe they'll have a max inning on Kopech. I wouldn't expect him to finish the season if he's a regular 5 day starter and consistently goes >=5 innings in most starts. Whether he comes up mid season or not, it doesn't matter, he'll still going to get shut down if he hits that number, whatever it may be. Ironically, success will eventually shut him down.

Assuming Cease is the 5th starter, how else would you use Kopech? I believe he would probably be shut down at a certain innings/pitches count, anyway. As a long reliever/spot starter, he can get his innings.

Same for me. When he was mentioned, I just glossed over his career, liked it, but said just a comment or two. Last night dug deeper and he blew me away with his 6+ inning consistency. He's a bullpen saver. Just quietly gets the job done. I can see scenarios when he throws 6 or 7 innings ( a lot), Sox have a 5 run lead, and let Kopech finish the last 2 or 3 innings.

After going through a bunch of names, it's become clear to me who the Sox should target; Mike Leake, with the caveat that he can be gotten for <$10 this year and/or even in a 2-3 deal. 2 + 1 maybe? He has incredible consistency and durability his entire career with virtually no injuries whatsoever and none with his arm. His last 3 years (opt out 2020) are a reflection of his entire career. year era starts >=6 inn % >=6 >=7 <5 2017 3.92 31 22 71% 10 4 2018 4.36 31 22 71% 9 3 2019 4.29 32 23 72% 9 1 Basically he goes 6 and gives up <=3 ER 70% of his starts. He does that with this BO, could easily win 15. He should probably have his own thread.