GreenSox

No FA, no problem. Hahn and Haber will just emulate the Rays!

On the positive page, Cueto and McCann were excellent signings. I guess he gets credit for Rodon, but most of that should be offset on another ledger, in which he declined arb for him and essentially released him.

I prefer to think of it as shades of Altuve. Lord knows, we're due.

That's probably true. When they take their time, put in the effort and try, they are sometimes reasonably capable. But they usually don't.

5-8 0-3-1 in series. If this persists, they really would have an opportunity to retool. But they'll salary dump instead.

yes, a 3 year college player with little leverage. That after drafting a DH type in the first round.

Then the pitcher unintentionally walks the next batter and you have bases loaded 0 outs. Maybe with a groundball pitcher it could be worth the risk.

Can you ever stop being a dick? It's ridiculous.

I'm not sure how this increases the need for an outfielder. Romy is the 4th OF today as he was opening day. Not having to substitute for defense in the late innings, really helps. Can Burger play an acceptable 3B? That would help. And he's another one who could get in better shape.

He's been excellent. In a year or so we should get a middle infielder or 2 to join the party. And if we could develop some pitchers, we could put this window nonsense into a deep sleep.

I would guess that they would just DFA Scholtens.

As were several others. Somehow Diekman was sure to turn around 2 successive negative WAR seasons at age 36, Avila was no sure thing, but at least he didn't walk a ton of people, which is refreshing and unique for this this organization (I guess I just explained why he's not on his team). They needed to take some risks to contend; they did, but they took low-upside risks (turnarounds from Diekman, Ruiz, etc.)

Maybe it will help, but it's basically desperation stuff. The surprise would have been if 36 year old Diekman (fresh off of 2 negative WAR seasons) wasn't terrible this season. These lazy FO clowns had him penciled in to the pen.

In as in "in the race?" Within 5 games of .500. Regardless, I really don't want Hahn effing with things during the season. It won't go well it; rarely does. It will just be salary dumping for maybe $.50 on the dollar.

Hahn hires people who won't show him up (in skill level). That's a common attribute a of bad leader/manager. A successful manager hires the smartest and most skilled people he can, even if they have the skills to surpass the manager. In a successful organization, a leader using the Hahn approach won't last long. The Sox heavily favor career relievers over converted starters for the pen. It costs them.

If they outhit opponents 13-4, so will I!

As per most of this century, the Sox give walks (9!) and do not take (1). A generous organization.

They could bring up Tanner Banks, who was actually good last year and far better than Diekman (as well as 50%+ of the Sox relievers) last year. And/or Davis Martin; they may be holding him back as starter insurance, but if this pen doesn't get better, they may not have a choice.

Hahn threw in a prospect of sorts, as well. He'll pitch with Boston's AAA team.

Graveman was not good last year; neither was Ruiz. And certainly not Diekman. One pitcher who was good was Tanner Banks (he's 31; they're effing around because of options?); so was Davis Martin.

Negative WAR in 2021 and in 2022. Who could have known?

Thanks, I missed that Lynn option. Anyway, we will have a need for starting pitching next year (and hopefully not before).

The 3 batter rule also minimizes the necessity of a lefty in the pen.

Really hoping for a big year from Burke. 60% of the Sox' starting rotation contracts-out after this season (although I think they have an option for a 2nd year of Clevenger).

Of all of the talent squandering that the Sox have done over the past decade, I can't see any scenario in which dumping a 32 year old 11-year veteran with a .644 OPS will cause serious lamentations. LaRussa perhaps messed up his game, putting him in situations where he had little chance of success. But LaRussa also made him rich.