GreenSox

Palka was a better hitter than Alonso last year. And he cost a bit less than $8 million. As I said, Hahn doesn't do salary dumps. It's a cynical move.

I would be stunned if this was anything other than a gasp and contrivance and that they actually had a plan. There shouldn't be any pieces going for a salary dump. Just so overmatched in the FO.

What prospect did we get from the Indians to absorb that salary?

The Rays and Marlins must have done some heavy drafting. Rays haven't rebuilt at all and the Marlins just started last year.

He's a space-clearer more than a salary-clearer; the Sox would have to send something for him. I think he's only a 2 year guy himself, but could be interesting. On another note, if trading Abreu (who is on a 1 year contract) sends the wrong message, doesn't signing McCann and trading for Nova do the same thing?

It's a good idea, but I don't remember the Sox ever doing that; although I do remember the Sox actually sending prospects for obvious salary dumps.

No real news; but Joel Sherman did say that if the Sox sign Harper it will be because they offered the most $$. He elaborated that the prospects et al don't mean much because the front office has been unproductive for years and that the same guys were in charge. You rarely hear the media state that unfortunate truth.

If he's hell-bent on playing for a winner, that (3 year opt out)) probably is what will happen.

I'm still leery of the accuracy pitch framing stat. Grandal is the best pitch framer; and the Dodgers have the best team ERA by a mile. I suspect that good pitching helps those framing stats more than the other way around. Another reason I wasn't excited about trading Narvaez (that and this obp/analytics starved org. dumping its one high obp hitter is suspect).

This is the kind of move the Sox should make. If someone is going to bail out the Cubs anyway, let it be us. (and hopefully still get Bryant). Almora and Happ would help this team significantly, and I think even Chatwood is redeemable. A little creativity would be nice to see.

6. Do the Sox have the people in place to turn the farm system in 2. into a winner? HIs best friend played for Rick Renteria (who's obviously not a mere placeholder)...I wonder what he thought of the experience.

That makes some sense. They won't get rid of Heyward for Happ, but they could get rid of Chatwood for him. And if the Sox weren't in the Harper race, I'd go for that; Chatwood is a rebound candidate (he can't walk that many again).

I don't know why he bothered saying that stuff - no kidding it's not all about the top financial offer. Everyone knows that.

Yes

I like the 4 year opt out...some opt out might be a good enticement considering he wants to win, and it's hard to get absolute comfort based on the track record of the 2 Ricks leading the show. 4 years is a reasonable balance of the player not being stuck on a loser (which should be evident or not in 2 years) and club protection (which would like want a longer period)

He was the 2nd to best hitter on the team - could have played DH. A players they actually developed. And watch his framing numbers skyrocket once he gets away from Cooper and this pitching staff.

The Dodgers could easily clear the salary if they wanted to. Just give away 3 still productive players on 1-year contracts (Kemp, Puig and Wood). May have to give a prospect with Kemp - he makes too much. But do they want to? It's not really Friedman's m.o. The Cubs would have a tougher time - they'd have to trade Chatwood and Heyward. Chatwood would require 1 top prospect for someone to eat that nasty salary for 2 years. Heyward is basically paid twice what he should be - $21 million, when he's worthy maybe $8-10 million; and for 5 years. That would require a good player like Happ plus 2 top prospects. That's a high price to pay for Harper. I don't see it happening.

Agree. The zeal for 1 year players is bizarre. And Yolmer is a solid utility guy who should improve and who's numbers would be much better if used more judiciously. He's Marwin Gonzales but for that 1 freak year.

Probably not, but I have no idea how JR does his budgets. We aren't talking purely about money here. Grienke will cost prospects; maybe he shouldn't but he will. Also, it's premature - we don't know what the holes on the team will be. Frankly not one prospect has firmly established himself as a real starter going forward. Yea you can say Moncada and Anderson....but if they don't improve, they are average players. They aren't there yet. I'd also like to see them move Abreu. The Sox have I believe 6 really good OF prospects; I would like to see them trade from that for a pre arb or top prospect. Just a lot of work they can do on this roster. In the meantime, watching Yolmer again doesn't bother me...he probably won't get much better, but he might.

Because those moves would cost resources and the Sox would still be a bad team.

That won't work if they don't develop a group of 5-10 quality young players And as of now, they aren't close to that.

I like this, but I doubt the Sox will do it.

How is Wood a salary dump if Nova wasn't? Wood is younger, better and cheaper. A lot of the good teams are trying to get ahead of the game and trade their rentals, just like the rebuilders do. The OF would also likely be a 1 year player. The Sox need to stop giving talent for that stuff.

Thanks, yes.

Moncada would set the Sox up well. But as per above he doesn't have the star power, Harper has.