GreenSox

They got 2 of those guys through rebuilding trades; Steiver is the only pitcher in the rotation or near-term prospect that they got from drafting, so I'm not so sure how easy it is for this organization. And you need some depth as well. Giolito, Keuchel, Cease, Dunning, Lopez (who probably should be in the pen), Steiver. The Sox need a solid starter, but they need one on top of those guys, not in lieu.

There should be no "all-in" years from where the Sox are now. Every year for the foreseeable future should be a playoff team, with a chance to win (unless they decide to resume their 2014-16 clown show). The Sox had a losing record against playoff teams last year...playoff teams that went 1-12 in the playoffs. The Sox aren't 1 or 2 players away from being WS favorites (which is darn well where you need to be if you are going "all in").

Not it isn't. There is nothing that makes 2021 an "all in" year. And if Lynn is a top 5 pitcher in baseball (or even if he isn't, which he isn't) then sign him next year

Preach on, Steve.

1. No idea. 2. Prepare him to start; big waste of resources to do otherwise.

Because Marquez is a good pitcher in the prime of his career on a reasonable contract; they aren't squandering that to save Blackmon money. They can trade Marquez for, judging by what people hereon are willing to pay, high value. Then they salary dump Blackmon separately and pay 1/2 his contract or so; some team ... ahem .... ahem ....would probably give them a decent prospect...

Thanks for the analysis. If they are going to add some relievers, then they could go ahead and dump Cordero right now. And they should have moved one of those catchers in a trade before now. I'd like to see them keep those 2 pitchers that need protecting. Now that I think about it, it's less risky to leave a player off now and risk rule 5 than it is to add them to the 40 to protect against Rule 5, but then take them off later (where they would be on open waivers and not have to go onto the claiming team's 40 man). So there's no point in loading guys onto the 40 if you know you'll have to remove them later.................................................

It wouldn't.

The Sox have a defensive outfielder - one who actually hit last year.

Bummer is an elite set-up man. You don't need that kind of talent to pitch 1 clean inning. A closer just needs to be a good pitcher, with stones (Colome e.g.). Not sure of the fascination with Marquez; yes he's a good pitcher. I sense some wishcasting that he'll suddenly be elite once he leaves Colorado and the price appears to be set at that level. Doubtful. For a pitcher trade, I'd look at Musgrove. He has AL experience, he's been solid with Pittsburgh and his price would be very reasonable. Well it should be and if it isn't, then move on.

What we may be on the cusp of is having a playoff team for the next 5+ years. Don't mess that up by going "all in" especially for career years, convincing oneself that slightly above average players are somehow elite, etc.

Probably not. But has he ever been able to make moves without approval? I'm more worried about Hahn forced to make moves on the orders of LaRussa.

Trying to win and not overpay. Heck Kopech was the #2 for Sale; Kopech plus "good pieces" would approximate 75% of Sale's value (considering it was Sale, Kopech and not much else). Marquez isn't in Sale's area code.

Just wonderful.

You give Kopech and the like for a TOR pitcher, not Marquez.

In a front office; and after a couple of years, he may get another shot at GM. Just too many glitches in his resume, if you look under the covers. But, we'll see. If someone wants him as GM, I think he'll be gone.

They neutered him in the manager search, so I guess they demoted him de facto. I doubt any team would hire Hahn as their top guy: 1 organization experience, lackluster drafting and way too many unforced errors of the years.

If the Sox feel that way, then JR and Williams should fire him and bring in someone they trust.

I'm concerned about the goofy crap that this FO will do to fit the LaRussa 2 year window.

Stroman would probably be a capable rotation-filler. But we should also get that with another year of maturity from Cease and Dunning (although Stroman would be less risk). Nothing wrong with starting pitching depth- they'll probably wish/be glad they had it at some point in 2021.

Yes, that they only played the Centrals (which, despite 7 playoff teams won a total of 2 playoff games) plus the Sox' poor record against those 7 playoff teams, leaves the true quality of this team an open question. On the Larussa matter, it's hard to reconcile front-office dissatisfaction with Renteria and Cooper not following analytics with looking at LaRussa for manager.

The last few were fine; certainly better than the first few where he was absolutely incompetent.

If you're firing Renteria over the bullpen management, Cooper needed to go too.

No they should not bring back Guillen.

I would put Cooper on the list ahead of Rickey, too.